Hummingbirds (Trochilidae)

Violet-throated Metaltail (Metallura baroni) - HBW 5, p. 652

French: Métallure de Baron German: Violettkehl-Glanzschwänzchen Spanish: Metalura de Azuay

Taxonomy: Metallura baroni Salvin, 1893, mountains near Cuenca, 12,000 feet [c. 3660 m], Ecuador.
Forms superspecies with M. aeneocauda, M. eupogon, M. theresiae, M. odomae and M. williami; recently recorded as occurring sympatrically with M. williami atrigularis at R Mazan in Azuay (S Ecuador), though altitudinally segregated, occurring at higher elevations. Formerly considered conspecific with M. eupogon, but differences in coloration, in combination with isolated distribution, support separate species status. Monotypic.

Distribution: SC Ecuador, on both slopes of Cajas Plateau W of Cuenca (Azuay).