Amazilia is a hummingbird genus in the subfamily Trochilinae. It occurs in tropical Central and South America.

Systematics

Some of the species listed here are occasionally placed in the genera Agyrtria, Polyerata and Saucerottia. But most authorities, notably the SACC, do not accept the validity of these until more comprehensive studies are available, instead placing them all in Amazilia.^[1] The IUCN and BirdLife International, after splitting up the genus Amazilia for some time, have followed the SACC's argument and treats these hummingbirds as a single genus until enough data is available for a thorough revision.

But regardless, the present arrangement is only temporary; it is generally recognized that Amazilia in the broad definition is overly inclusive and perhaps not even monophyletic, and that some species would be better moved to one or more distinct genera. However, the monophyly of the proposed additional genera is not conclusively established either.

Two additional species in Amazilia are sometimes included in Leucippus today as they are markedly distinct, but this placement requires confirmation.^[1] These are the White-bellied Hummingbird (A. chionogaster) and the Green-and-white Hummingbird (A. viridicauda).

Species

Amazilia sensu stricto

• White-bellied Hummingbird, Amazilia chionogaster
• Green-and-white Hummingbird, Amazilia viridicauda
• Rufous-tailed Hummingbird, Amazilia tzacatl
  • Escudo Hummingbird, Amazilia (tzacatl) handleyi
• Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird, Amazilia castaneiventris
• Amazilia Hummingbird, Amazilia amazilia
  • Loja Hummingbird, Amazilia (amazilia) alticola
• Buff-bellied Hummingbird, Amazilia yucatanensis
• Cinnamon Hummingbird, Amazilia rutila

Cinnamon-sided Hummingbird, Amazilia (viridifrons) wagneri or Agyrtria (viridifrons) wagneri

Agyrtria group

• Plain-bellied Emerald, Amazilia leucogaster or Agyrtria leucogaster
• Versicoloured Emerald, Amazilia versicolor or Agyrtria versicolor
  • Blue-green Emerald or Rondonia Emerald, Amazilia (versicolor) rondoniae or Agyrtria (versicolor) rondoniae
• White-chested Emerald, Amazilia brevirostris or Agyrtria brevirostris - formerly A. chionopectus
• White-bellied Emerald, Amazilia candida or Agyrtria candida
• Andean Emerald, Amazilia franciae or Agyrtria franciae
• Azure-crowned Hummingbird, Amazilia cyanocephala or Agyrtria cyanocephala
  • Mosquitia Hummingbird, Amazilia (cyanocephala) chlorostephana or Agyrtria (cyanocephala) chlorostephana
• Violet-crowned Hummingbird, Amazilia violiceps or Agyrtria violiceps
• Green-fronted Hummingbird, Amazilia viridifrons or Agyrtria viridifrons
  • Cinnamon-sided Hummingbird, Amazilia (viridifrons) wagneri or Agyrtria (viridifrons) wagneri

Polyerata group

Glittering-throated Emerald, Amazilia fimbriata or Polyerata fimbriata

• Glittering-throated Emerald, Amazilia fimbriata or Polyerata fimbriata
• Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Amazilia lactea or Polyerata lactea
• Blue-chested Hummingbird, Amazilia amabilis or Polyerata amabilis
• Charming Hummingbird, Amazilia decora or Polyerata decora
• Purple-chested Hummingbird, Amazilia rosenbergi or Polyerata rosenbergi
• Mangrove Hummingbird, Amazilia boucardi or Polyerata boucardi
• Honduran Emerald, Amazilia luciae or Polyerata luciae

Saucerottia group

Copper-rumped Hummingbird, Amazilia tobaci or Saucerottia tobaci

• Steely-vented Hummingbird, Amazilia saucerrottei or Saucerottia saucerrottei
  • Blue-vented Hummingbird, Amazilia (saucerrotei) hoffmanni or Saucerottia (saucerrottei) hoffmanni
• Copper-rumped Hummingbird, Amazilia tobaci or Saucerottia tobaci
• Indigo-capped Hummingbird, Amazilia cyanifrons or Saucerottia cyanifrons
  • Alfaro's Hummingbird or Miravalles Hummingbird, Amazilia (cyanifrons) alfaroana or Saucerottia (cyanifrons) alfaroana - probably extinct (c.1900)
• Snowy-breasted Hummingbird, Amazilia edward or Saucerottia edward
• Blue-tailed Hummingbird, Amazilia cyanura or Saucerottia cyanura
• Berylline Hummingbird, Amazilia beryllina or Saucerottia beryllina
• Green-bellied Hummingbird, Amazilia viridigaster or Saucerottia viridigaster
  • Copper-tailed Hummingbird, Amazilia (viridigaster) cupreicauda or Saucerottia (viridigaster) cupreicauda

Footnotes

References

• Remsen, J.V. Jr.; Cadena, C.D.; Jaramillo, A.; Nores, M.; Pacheco, J.F.; Robbins, M.B., Schulenberg, T.S.; Stiles, F.G.; Stotz, D.F. & Zimmer K.J. (2008): A classification of the bird species of South America - Part 4. Apodiformes. Version of 2008-MAY-21. Retrieved 2008-MAY-26.

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