Taxonomic notes on hummingbirds (Aves : Trochilidae). 3. Heliangelus violicollis Salvin, 1891 is a color variant of Heliangelus strophianus (Gould, 1846)

Abstract

The holotype of Heliangelus violicollis Salvin, 1891, reportedly from "Sarayacu" on the Amazonian slope of the Ecuadorian Andes, is hypothesized to be a color variant of Heliangelus strophianus (Gould, 1846) from the Pacific slope. A second specimen identified by Salvin as an immature male H. violicollis represents a female H. strophianus in typical definitive plumage. Analysis of plumage color and external measurements revealed no credible evidence for a hybrid origin of H. violicollis.