Versicoloured Emerald
Encyclopedia
The Versicoloured Emerald (Amazilia versicolor), sometimes placed in the genus Agyrtria, is a species of hummingbird
from central and eastern South America
.
is very complex and remains a matter of dispute. The nominate subspecies (A. v. versicolor) occurs in two main morphs; a white-throated coastal type and a green/turquoise-throated inland type. At some localities individuals with intermediate features are commonly seen, but at others the two morphs seemingly co-occur without signs of intergradation
. The coastal morph was formerly known as A. brevirostris, but a review lead to this name being considered to belong to the White-chested Emerald
of northern South America. Recently, it has been suggested that the coastal type should remain as A. brevirostris, but this has been disputed, and has yet to gain wide recognition.
The exact distribution limits between several subspecies
of the Versicoloured Emerald are poorly known, and, in addition to the coastal nominate, some other subspecies have been considered separate species, especially the Blue-green Emerald (A. (v.) rondoniae), also known as the Rondonia Emerald. This was based on plumage and reported sympatry with A. versicolor (ssp
?), but except for the blue to the head, A. v. rondoniae is very similar to A. v. nitidifrons, and any evidence for sympatry is lacking. It was therefore "de-listed" by the South American Classification Committee, and is now considered a subspecies of the Versicolored Emerald, with some even suggesting that rondoniae is entirely invalid.
. The throat ranges from all greenish or turquoise (edged white in female) in inland nominate, nitidifrons and kubtcheki, to bluish in rondoniae and white (essentially a continuation of the white central underparts) in coastal nominate, hollandi and millerii. Most races have green face-sides and crown, but this is typically turquoise-blue or azure blue in hollandi and rondoniae.
, eastern Paraguay
, far north-eastern Argentina
, and eastern, southern and central Brazil
, being absent from the arid Caatinga
and most of the Amazon Basin
, although locally extending into this region in the south-east and along major rivers (e.g. the Amazon River
and Rio Negro). A population, possibly disjunct
(although exact distribution limits often are incompletely known in this part of Brazil), occurs in far north-western Brazil, southern Venezuela
, western Guyana
and eastern Colombia
.
It occurs in a wide range of semi-open habitats with some trees; even in urban areas. It generally avoids the interior of humid primary forest, and in regions where such habitats dominate, it mainly occurs in relatively open sections or along forest borders (e.g. the vicinity of major rivers). It is widespread, generally fairly common (more localized in the Amazon Basin) and possibly benefits from the widespread deforestation
in tropical South America.
Hummingbird
Hummingbirds are birds that comprise the family Trochilidae. They are among the smallest of birds, most species measuring in the 7.5–13 cm range. Indeed, the smallest extant bird species is a hummingbird, the 5-cm Bee Hummingbird. They can hover in mid-air by rapidly flapping their wings...
from central and eastern South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
.
Taxonomy
The taxonomyTaxonomy
Taxonomy is the science of identifying and naming species, and arranging them into a classification. The field of taxonomy, sometimes referred to as "biological taxonomy", revolves around the description and use of taxonomic units, known as taxa...
is very complex and remains a matter of dispute. The nominate subspecies (A. v. versicolor) occurs in two main morphs; a white-throated coastal type and a green/turquoise-throated inland type. At some localities individuals with intermediate features are commonly seen, but at others the two morphs seemingly co-occur without signs of intergradation
Intergradation
In zoology, intergradation is the way in which two distinct subspecies are connected via areas where populations are found that have the characteristics of both...
. The coastal morph was formerly known as A. brevirostris, but a review lead to this name being considered to belong to the White-chested Emerald
White-chested Emerald
The White-chested Emerald, Amazilia brevirostris, is a hummingbird found in eastern Venezuela, the Guianas, Trinidad and far northern Brazil . It has sometimes been placed in the genus Agyrtria, and the name A. chionopectus was formerly used for this species, as the name A. brevirostris was...
of northern South America. Recently, it has been suggested that the coastal type should remain as A. brevirostris, but this has been disputed, and has yet to gain wide recognition.
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
of the Versicoloured Emerald are poorly known, and, in addition to the coastal nominate, some other subspecies have been considered separate species, especially the Blue-green Emerald (A. (v.) rondoniae), also known as the Rondonia Emerald. This was based on plumage and reported sympatry with A. versicolor (ssp
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
?), but except for the blue to the head, A. v. rondoniae is very similar to A. v. nitidifrons, and any evidence for sympatry is lacking. It was therefore "de-listed" by the South American Classification Committee, and is now considered a subspecies of the Versicolored Emerald, with some even suggesting that rondoniae is entirely invalid.
Description
It has a total length of 8–10 cm (3–4 in). The relatively long, slightly decurved bill is black with flesh-colored (occasionally orange) base to the lower mandible. The tail is coppery-green with a dark subterminal band. The upperparts and flanks are coppery-green. The central underparts and crissum are white. The color of the throat, face-sides and crown varies greatly both individually and depending on subspeciesSubspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
. The throat ranges from all greenish or turquoise (edged white in female) in inland nominate, nitidifrons and kubtcheki, to bluish in rondoniae and white (essentially a continuation of the white central underparts) in coastal nominate, hollandi and millerii. Most races have green face-sides and crown, but this is typically turquoise-blue or azure blue in hollandi and rondoniae.
Distribution and habitat
It occurs in northern BoliviaBolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
, eastern Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
, far north-eastern Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, and eastern, southern and central Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, being absent from the arid Caatinga
Caatinga
Caatinga is a type of vegetation, and an ecoregion characterized by this vegetation in the northeastern part of Brazil. The name "Caatinga" is a Tupi word meaning "white forest" or "white vegetation"...
and most of the Amazon Basin
Amazon Basin
The Amazon Basin is the part of South America drained by the Amazon River and its tributaries that drains an area of about , or roughly 40 percent of South America. The basin is located in the countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela...
, although locally extending into this region in the south-east and along major rivers (e.g. the Amazon River
Amazon River
The Amazon of South America is the second longest river in the world and by far the largest by waterflow with an average discharge greater than the next seven largest rivers combined...
and Rio Negro). A population, possibly disjunct
Disjunct distribution
In biology, a taxon with a disjunct distribution is one that has two or more groups that are related but widely separated from each other geographically...
(although exact distribution limits often are incompletely known in this part of Brazil), occurs in far north-western Brazil, southern Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
, western Guyana
Guyana
Guyana , officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, previously the colony of British Guiana, is a sovereign state on the northern coast of South America that is culturally part of the Anglophone Caribbean. Guyana was a former colony of the Dutch and of the British...
and eastern Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
.
It occurs in a wide range of semi-open habitats with some trees; even in urban areas. It generally avoids the interior of humid primary forest, and in regions where such habitats dominate, it mainly occurs in relatively open sections or along forest borders (e.g. the vicinity of major rivers). It is widespread, generally fairly common (more localized in the Amazon Basin) and possibly benefits from the widespread deforestation
Deforestation
Deforestation is the removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a nonforest use. Examples of deforestation include conversion of forestland to farms, ranches, or urban use....
in tropical South America.
External links
- Versicolored Emerald videos on the Internet Bird Collection
- Versicolored Emerald photo gallery VIREO Photo-High Res
- Photo-High Res; Article avespampa
- Photos and information FAUNA Paraguay.
