Taxonomic notes on hummingbirds (Aves : Trochilidae) 2. Popelairia letitiae (Bourcier & Mulsant, 1852) is a valid species

Abstract

Popelairia letitiae (Bourcier & Mulsant, 1852), known from two specimens supposedly from Bolivia, appears to be a valid species. Analysis of plumage color and morphometrics indicates that P. letitiae does not represent an immature plumage or geographic variant of Discosura longicauda, although this species and P. letitiae may be sister taxa. No credible evidence for a hybrid origin of P. letitiae was discovered. "Letitia's Coquette" is proposed as the common English name for P. letitiae.