Hummingbirds (Trochilidae)

White-tailed Goldenthroat (Polytmus guainumbi) - HBW 5, p. 591

French: Colibri guaïnumbi German: Bronzerücken-Glanzkehlchen Spanish: Colibrí Guainumbí
Other common names: White-tailed Hummingbird(!)

Taxonomy: Trochilus guainumbi Pallas, 1764, Cape of Good Hope; error = Surinam.
Genus probably constitutes an old Guianan and C Brazilian element with close morphological and behavioural affinities with Leucochloris and Leucippus. In past, genus was considered monospecific, comprising present species only. Forms a superspecies with P. milleri. Name andinus was thought to be preoccupied and this taxon was thus renamed “doctus”, but renaming unjustified. Three subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

  • andinus Simon, 1921 - E Colombia (S to Meta and Vichada).
  • guainumbi (Pallas, 1764) - Venezuela and Trinidad to the Guianas and N Brazil.
  • thaumantias (Linnaeus, 1766) - E Bolivia, E Paraguay and C & E Brazil (S Maranhão and Bahia to Mato Grosso do Sul, São Paulo and N Paraná) to NE Argentina.

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