Trochilidae: Hummingbirds
Hispaniolan Mango, male. © Juan Sangiovanni
The hummingbirds are an enormous family of tiny birds that have unique mastery of flight, with the ability to hover and fly almost omnidirectionally. Among many peculiarities, two remarkable adaptations enable their extreme mobility: one anatomical and the other physiological.
Anatomically, the hummingbird wing has effectively collapsed the wrist into the shoulder and compounded the muscles. The shoulder joint is modified to allow the wing to swivel with each change in direction, so it lifts the bird on both the forward and backward strokes.
Hispaniolan Mango, male. © José M. Pantaleón I.
Physiologically, hummingbirds vary their metabolism and heartrates from hyperactivity, enough for up to 80 wingbeats per second, to torpor, conserving energy when not moving.
The hummingbird family abounds with spectacular species, many with dazzling and ornate plumage, and some with other exceptional features. The male Bee Hummingbird of Cuba is the smallest bird in the world, with adults weighing only 1.6 grams, and more than 100 other hummingbird species are smaller than any bird outside the family. The Sword-billed Hummingbird of the Andes is the only bird whose bill is longer than the rest of its body.
Hispaniolan Mango, male. © Timoteo Estévez
The roster of hummingbird names contains many poetic attempts to encapsulate their strange beauty in a lexicon of avian jewelry: Fiery Topaz, Festive Coquette, Tourmaline Sunangel, Bronze-tailed Comet, Rainbow-bearded Thornbill, Glowing Puffleg, Fire-throated Metaltail, Marvelous Spatuletail, Shining Sunbeam, Rainbow Starfrontlet, Velvet-purple Coronet, Empress Brilliant, Glittering-bellied Emerald, etc.
Identification
Identification of hummingbirds ranges from extremely easy to nearly impossible. Many species are distinctive, especially the males, and they can often be viewed at close range, particularly when attending feeders. When encountered in nature, however, especially when foraging, hummingbirds rarely stay still long enough to focus binoculars on them. Females of many species have the same generic appearance: mostly green above and mostly white below. Certain groups—especially the hermits—include nearly identical species with overlapping ranges. In these cases, identification depends on knowing the slight differences between them in advance and acting quickly to focus on those differences during a fortuitous pause in their frenetic, instantaneous movements.
Taxonomy
The hummingbirds are among the most complex of the bird families, with many gaps in the current understanding of their internal relationships. The general consensus is that it comprises six subfamilies, and that the two largest subfamilies include multiple tribes that will require further study to organize. At the species level, many distinctions remain uncertain, especially among the hermits and the emeralds, which are less obviously differentiated than the other groups.
Following is one current classification scheme of the approximately 354 to 391 species (plus 2 recently extinct) of the Trochilidae:
Florsuginae: Topazes and jacobins (4 species)
Phaethornithinae: Hermits (37 to 44 species)
Polytminae: Mangoes and allies (30 to 32 species)
Lesbiinae: Coquettes and brilliants (118 to 125 species)
Lesbiini: Coquettes (64 to 67 species)
Heliantheini: Brilliants (54 to 58 species)
Patagoninae: Giant Hummingbird (1 species)
Trochilinae: Emeralds, mountain-gems, and woodstars (164 to 185 species, plus 2 extinct)
Trochilini: Emeralds (111 to 129 species, plus 2 extinct)
Lamporthini: Mountain-gems (16 to 17 species)
Mellisugini: Woodstars (37 to 39 species)
Crimson Topaz (Topaza pella)
Fiery Topaz (Topaza pyra)
White-necked Jacobin (Florisuga mellivora)
Black Jacobin (Florisuga fusca)
White-tipped Sicklebill (Eutoxeres aquila)
Buff-tailed Sicklebill (Eutoxeres condamini)
Saw-billed Hermit (Ramphodon naevius)
Hook-billed Hermit (Glaucis dohrnii)
Bronzy Hermit (Glaucis aeneus)
Rufous-breasted Hermit (Glaucis hirsutus)
Band-tailed Barbthroat (Threnetes ruckeri)
Pale-tailed Barbthroat (Threnetes leucurus)
Sooty Barbthroat (Threnetes niger)
“Sooty Barbthroat” (T. n. niger)
“Bronze-tailed Barbthroat” (T. n. loehkeni)
Broad-tipped Hermit (Anopetia gounellei)
White-bearded Hermit (Phaethornis hispidus)
White-whiskered Hermit (Phaethornis yaruqui)
Green Hermit (Phaethornis guy)
Tawny-bellied Hermit (Phaethornis syrmatophorus)
Koepcke’s Hermit (Phaethornis koepckeae)
Needle-billed Hermit (Phaethornis philippii)
Straight-billed Hermit (Phaethornis bourcieri)
Long-billed Hermit (Phaethornis longirostris)
“Long-billed Hermit” (P. l. longirostris)
“Baron’s Hermit” (P. l. baroni)
Mexican Hermit (Phaethornis mexicanus)
“Jalisco Hermit” (P. m. griseoventer)
“Mexican Hermit” (P. m. mexicanus)
Long-tailed Hermit (Phaethornis superciliosus)
Great-billed Hermit (Phaethornis malaris)
“Great-billed Hermit” (P. m. malaris)
“Amazonian Hermit” (P. m. moorei)
“Margaretta’s Hermit” (P. m. margarettae)
Pale-bellied Hermit (Phaethornis anthophilus)
Dusky-throated Hermit (Phaethornis squalidus)
Streak-throated Hermit (Phaethornis rupurumii)
Little Hermit (Phaethornis longuemareus)
Tapajós Hermit (Phaethornis aethopygus)
Minute Hermit (Phaethornis idaliae)
Cinnamon-throated Hermit (Phaethornis nattereri)
“Cinnamon-throated Hermit” (P. n. nattereri)
“Maranhão Hermit” (P. n. maranhaoensis)
Black-throated Hermit (Phaethornis atrimentalis)
Stripe-throated Hermit (Phaethornis striigularis)
“Stripe-throated Hermit” (P. s. striigularis)
“Dusky Hermit” (P. s. saturatus)
Gray-chinned Hermit (Phaethornis griseogularis)
Reddish Hermit (Phaethornis ruber)
White-browed Hermit (Phaethornis stuarti)
Buff-bellied Hermit (Phaethornis subochraceus)
Sooty-capped Hermit (Phaethornis augusti)
Planalto Hermit (Phaethornis pretrei)
Scale-throated Hermit (Phaethornis eurynome)
Green-fronted Lancebill (Doryfera ludovicae)
Blue-fronted Lancebill (Doryfera johannae)
Geoffroy’s Wedgebill (Schistes geoffroyi)
White-throated Wedgebill (Schistes albogularis)
Hooded Visorbearer (Augastes lumachella)
Hyacinth Visorbearer (Augastes scutatus)
White-vented Violetear (Colibri serrirostris)
Sparkling Violetear (Colibri coruscans)
Mexican Violetear (Colibri thalassinus)
Lesser Violetear (Colibri cyanotus)
“Costa Rican Violetear” (C. c. cabanidis)
“Andean Violetear” (C. c. cyanotus)
Brown Violetear (Colibri delphinae)
Tooth-billed Hummingbird (Androdon aequatorialis)
Horned Sungem (Heliactin bilophus)
Purple-crowned Fairy (Heliothryx barroti)
Black-eared Fairy (Heliothryx auritis)
White-tailed Goldenthroat (Polytmus guainumbi)
Green-tailed Goldenthroat (Polytmus theresiae)
Tepui Goldenthroat (Polytmus milleri)
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird (Chrysolampis mosquitus)
Fiery-tailed Awlbill (Avocettula recurvirostris)
Green-breasted Mango (Anthracothorax prevostii)
“Green-breasted Mango” (A. p. prevostii)
“Ecuadorian Mango” (A. p. iridescens)
Veraguan Mango (Anthracothorax veraguensis)
Black-throated Mango (Anthracothorax nigricollis)
Green-throated Mango (Anthracothorax viridigula)
Jamaican Mango (Anthracothorax mango)
Hispaniolan Mango (Anthracothorax dominicus)
Puerto Rican Mango (Anthracothorax aurulentus)
Green Mango (Anthracothorax viridis)
Purple-throated Carib (Eulampis jugularis)
Green-throated Carib (Eulampis holosericeus)
Royal Sunangel (Heliangelus regalis)
Gorgeted Sunangel (Heliangelus strophianus)
Orange-throated Sunangel (Heliangelus mavors)
Amethyst-throated Sunangel (Heliangelus amethysticollis)
Flame-throated Sunangel (Heliangelus micraster)
Tourmaline Sunangel (Heliangelus exortis)
Purple-throated Sunangel (Heliangelus viola)
“Purple-throated Sunangel” (H. v. viola)
“Brilliant Sunangel” (H. v. splendidus)
Longuemare’s Sunangel (Heliangelus clarisse)
Mérida Sunangel (Heliangelus spencei)
Bogotá Sunangel (Heliangelus zusii)
Green-backed Firecrown (Sephanoides sephaniodes)
Juan Fernández Firecrown (Sephanoides fernandensis)
Racket-tailed Coquette (Discosura longicaudus)
Green Thorntail (Discosura conversii)
Wire-crested Thorntail (Discosura popelairii)
Black-bellied Thorntail (Discosura langsdorffi)
Coppery Thorntail (Discosura letitiae)
Tufted Coquette (Lophornis ornatus)
Dot-eared Coquette (Lophornis gouldii)
Frilled Coquette (Lophornis magnificus)
Black-crested Coquette (Lophornis helenae)
White-crested Coquette (Lophornis adorabilis)
Peacock Coquette (Lophornis pavoninus)
Festive Coquette (Lophornis chalybeus)
Short-crested Coquette (Lophornis brachylophus)
Rufous-crested Coquette (Lophornis delattrei)
Spangled Coquette (Lophornis stictolophus)
Ecuadorian Piedtail (Phlogophilus hemileucurus)
Peruvian Piedtail (Phlogophilus harterti)
Speckled Hummingbird (Adelomyia melanogenys)
Long-tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus kingii)
Violet-tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus coelestis)
Venezuelan Sylph (Aglaiocercus berlepschi)
Red-tailed Comet (Sappho sparganurus)
Gray-bellied Comet (Taphrolesbia griseiventris)
Bronze-tailed Comet (Polyonymus caroli)
Wedge-tailed Hillstar (Oreotrochilus adela)
Andean Hillstar (Oreotrochilus estella)
“Green-headed Hillstar” (O. e. stolzmanni)
“Andean Hillstar” (O. e. estella)
Ecuadorian Hillstar (Oreotrochilus chimborazo)
Black-breasted Hillstar (Oreotrochilus melanogaster)
White-sided Hillstar (Oreotrochilus leucopleurus)
Mountain Avocetbill (Opisthoprora euryptera)
Black-tailed Trainbearer (Lesbia victoriae)
Green-tailed Trainbearer (Lesbia nuna)
Black-backed Thornbill (Ramphomicron dorsale)
Purple-backed Thornbill (Ramphomicron microrhynchum)
Rufous-capped Thornbill (Chalcostigma ruficeps)
Olivaceous Thornbill (Chalcostigma olivaceum)
Blue-mantled Thornbill (Chalcostigma stanleyi)
Bronze-tailed Thornbill (Chalcostigma heteropogon)
Rainbow-bearded Thornbill (Chalcostigma herrani)
Blue-bearded Helmetcrest (Oxypogon cyanolaemus)
White-bearded Helmetcrest (Oxypogon lindenii)
Green-bearded Helmetcrest (Oxypogon guerinii)
Buffy Helmetcrest (Oxypogon stubelii)
Bearded Mountaineer (Oreonympha nobilis)
Black Metaltail (Metallura phoebe)
Tyrian Metaltail (Metallura tyrianthina)
Scaled Metaltail (Metallura aeneocauda)
Coppery Metaltail (Metallura theresiae)
Fire-throated Metaltail (Metallura eupogon)
Neblina Metaltail (Metallura odomae)
Perijá Metaltail (Metallura iracunda)
Viridian Metaltail (Metallura williami)
“Viridian Metaltail” (M. w. williami)
“Black-throated Metaltail” (M. w. atrigularis)
Violet-throated Metaltail (Metallura baroni)
Greenish Puffleg (Haplophaedia aureliae)
Buff-thighed Puffleg (Haplophaedia assimilis)
Hoary Puffleg (Haplophaedia lugens)
Black-breasted Puffleg (Eriocnemis nigrivestis)
Gorgeted Puffleg (Eriocnemis isabellae)
Glowing Puffleg (Eriocnemis vestita)
Black-thighed Puffleg (Eriocnemis derbyi)
Turquoise-throated Puffleg (Eriocnemis godini)
Coppery-bellied Puffleg (Eriocnemis cupreoventris)
Sapphire-vented Puffleg (Eriocnemis luciani)
“Sapphire-vented Puffleg” (E. l. luciani)
“Coppery-naped Puffleg” (E. l. sapphiropygia/catharina)
Golden-breasted Puffleg (Eriocnemis mosquera)
Blue-capped Puffleg (Eriocnemis glaucopoides)
Colorful Puffleg (Eriocnemis mirabilis)
Emerald-bellied Puffleg (Eriocnemis aline)
Marvelous Spatuletail (Loddigesia mirabilis)
Shining Sunbeam (Aglaeactis cupripennis)
White-tufted Sunbeam (Aglaeactis castelnaudii)
Purple-backed Sunbeam (Aglaeactis aliciae)
Black-hooded Sunbeam (Aglaeactis pamela)
Bronzy Inca (Coeligena coeligena)
Brown Inca (Coeligena wilsoni)
Black Inca (Coeligena prunellei)
Collared Inca (Coeligena torquata)
“Collared Inca” (C. t. torquata)
“Gould’s Inca” (C. t. inca/omissa)
Violet-throated Starfrontlet (Coeligena violifer)
Rainbow Starfrontlet (Coeligena iris)
White-tailed Starfrontlet (Coeligena phalerata)
Dusky Starfrontlet (Coeligena orina)
Buff-winged Starfrontlet (Coeligena lutetiae)
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet (Coeligena bonapartei)
“Golden-bellied Starfrontlet” (C. b. bonapartei)
“Golden-tailed Starfrontlet” (C. b. eos)
Blue-throated Starfrontlet (Coeligena helianthea)
Mountain Velvetbreast (Lafresnaya lafresnayi)
Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera)
Great Sapphirewing (Pterophanes cyanopterus)
Buff-tailed Coronet (Boissonneaua flavescens)
Chestnut-breasted Coronet (Boissonneaua matthewsii)
Velvet-purple Coronet (Boissonneaua jardini)
White-booted Racket-tail (Ocreatus underwoodii)
Peruvian Racket-tail (Ocreatus peruanus)
Rufous-booted Racket-tail (Ocreatus addae)
White-tailed Hillstar (Urochroa bougueri)
“White-tailed Hillstar” (U. b. bougueri)
“Rufous-gaped Hillstar” (U. b. leucura)
Purple-bibbed Whitetip (Urosticte benjamini)
Rufous-vented Whitetip (Urosticte ruficrissa)
Velvet-browed Brilliant (Heliodoxa xanthogonys)
Pink-throated Brilliant (Heliodoxa gularis)
Rufous-webbed Brilliant (Heliodoxa branickii)
Black-throated Brilliant (Heliodoxa schreibersii)
Gould’s Jewelfront (Heliodoxa aurescens)
Fawn-breasted Brilliant (Heliodoxa rubinoides)
Green-crowned Brilliant (Heliodoxa jacula)
Empress Brilliant (Heliodoxa imperatrix)
Violet-fronted Brilliant (Heliodoxa leadbeateri)
Violet-chested Hummingbird (Sternoclyta cyanopectus)
Scissor-tailed Hummingbird (Hylonympha macrocerca)
Brazilian Ruby (Clytolaema rubricauda)
Giant Hummingbird (Patagona gigas)
Golden-crowned Emerald (Chlorostilbon auriceps)
Cozumel Emerald (Chlorostilbon forficatus)
Canivet’s Emerald (Chlorostilbon canivetii)
“Canivet’s Emerald” (Chlorostilbon canivetii)
“Salvin’s Emerald” (Chlorostilbon salvini)
Garden Emerald (Chlorostilbon assimilis)
Blue-tailed Emerald (Chlorostilbon mellisugus)
Western Emerald (Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus)
Red-billed Emerald (Chlorostilbon gibsoni)
Chiribiquete Emerald (Chlorostilbon olivaresi)
Cuban Emerald (Chlorostilbon ricordii)
Gould’s Emerald (Chlorostilbon elegans) †
Brace’s Emerald (Chlorostilbon bracei) †
Hispaniolan Emerald (Chlorostilbon swainsonii)
Puerto Rican Emerald (Chlorostilbon maugaeus)
Glittering-bellied Emerald (Chlorostilbon lucidus)
Coppery Emerald (Chlorostilbon russatus)
Narrow-tailed Emerald (Chlorostilbon stenurus)
Green-tailed Emerald (Chlorostilbon alice)
Short-tailed Emerald (Chlorostilbon poortmani)
Dusky Hummingbird (Cynanthus sordidus)
Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris)
“Broad-billed Hummingbird” (C. l. latirostris)
“Tres Marías Hummingbird” (C. l. lawrencei)
Doubleday’s Hummingbird (Cynanthus doubledayi)
Blue-headed Hummingbird (Cyanophaia bicolor)
Violet-headed Hummingbird (Klais guimeti)
Emerald-chinned Hummingbird (Abeillia abeillei)
Antillean Crested Hummingbird (Orthorhyncus cristatus)
“Antillean Crested Hummingbird” (O. c. exilis)
“St. Vincent Crested Hummingbird” (O. c. ornatus)
“Barbados Crested Hummingbird” (O. c. cristatus)
“Grenadan Crested Hummingbird” (O. c. emigrans)
Green-crowned Plovercrest (Stephanoxis lalandi)
Purple-crowned Plovercrest (Stephanoxis loddigesii)
Sombre Hummingbird (Aphantochroa cirrochloris)
Santa Marta Blossomcrown (Anthocephala floriceps)
Tolima Blossomcrown (Anthocephala berlepschi)
Curve-winged Sabrewing (Campylopterus curvipennis)
Wedge-tailed Sabrewing (Campylopterus pampa)
Long-tailed Sabrewing (Campylopterus excellens)
Gray-breasted Sabrewing (Campylopterus largipennis)
Rufous Sabrewing (Campylopterus rufus)
Violet Sabrewing (Campylopterus hemileucurus)
Rufous-breasted Sabrewing (Campylopterus hyperythrus)
White-tailed Sabrewing (Campylopterus ensipennis)
Lazuline Sabrewing (Campylopterus falcatus)
Santa Marta Sabrewing (Campylopterus phainopeplus)
Napo Sabrewing (Campylopterus villaviscensio)
Buff-breasted Sabrewing (Campylopterus duidae)
Swallow-tailed Hummingbird (Eupetomena macroura)
Oaxaca Hummingbird (Eupherusa cyanophrys)
Stripe-tailed Hummingbird (Eupherusa eximia)
White-tailed Hummingbird (Eupherusa poliocerca)
Black-bellied Hummingbird (Eupherusa nigriventris)
Scaly-breasted Hummingbird (Phaeochroa cuvierii)
“Robert’s Hummingbird” (P. c. roberti)
“Cuvier’s Hummingbird” (P. c. cuvierii)
White-tailed Emerald (Elvira chionura)
Coppery-headed Emerald (Elvira cupreiceps)
Snowcap (Microchera albocoronata)
White-vented Plumeleteer (Chalybura buffonii)
“White-vented Plumeleteer” (C. b. buffonii)
“Blue-bellied Plumeleteer” (C. b. caeruleogaster)
“Ecuadorian Plumeleteer” (C. b. intermedia)
Bronze-tailed Plumeleteer (Chalybura urochrysia)
Mexican Woodnymph (Thalurania ridgwayi)
Crowned Woodnymph (Thalurania colombica)
“Violet-crowned Woodnymph” (T. c. venusta)
“Colombian Woodnymph” (T. c. colombica)
“Green-crowned Woodnymph” (T. c. fannyi)
“Emerald-bellied Woodnymph” (T. c. hypochlora)
Fork-tailed Woodnymph (Thalurania furcata)
Long-tailed Woodnymph (Thalurania watertonii)
Violet-capped Woodnymph (Thalurania glaucopis)
Many-spotted Hummingbird (Taphrospilus hypostictus)
White-throated Hummingbird (Leucochloris albicollis)
Buffy Hummingbird (Leucippus fallax)
Tumbes Hummingbird (Leucippus baeri)
Spot-throated Hummingbird (Leucippus taczanowskii)
Olive-spotted Hummingbird (Leucippus chlorocercus)
White-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia chionogaster)
Green-and-white Hummingbird (Amazilia viridicauda)
Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia castaneiventris)
Amazilia Hummingbird (Amazilia amazilia)
“Amazilia Hummingbird” (A. a. amazilia)
“Loja Hummingbird” (A. a. alticola)
White-bellied Emerald (Amazilia candida)
Honduran Emerald (Amazilia luciae)
White-chested Emerald (Amazilia brevirostris)
Plain-bellied Emerald (Amazilia leucogaster)
Versicolored Emerald (Amazilia versicolor)
“Versicolored Emerald” (A. v. versicolor)
“Rondonian Emerald” (A. v. rondoniae)
Andean Emerald (Amazilia franciae)
Glittering-throated Emerald (Amazilia fimbriata)
Sapphire-spangled Emerald (Amazilia lactea)
Blue-chested Hummingbird (Amazilia amabilis)
Charming Hummingbird (Amazilia decora)
Purple-chested Hummingbird (Amazilia rosenbergi)
Mangrove Hummingbird (Amazilia boucardi)
Azure-crowned Hummingbird (Amazilia cyanocephala)
“Azure-crowned Hummingbird” (A. c. cyanocephala)
“Mosquitian Hummingbird” (A. c. chlorostephana)
Berylline Hummingbird (Amazilia beryllina)
Blue-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia cyanura)
Blue-vented Hummingbird (Amazilia hoffmanni)
Steely-vented Hummingbird (Amazilia saucerrottei)
Indigo-capped Hummingbird (Amazilia cyanifrons)
Snowy-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia edward)
Green-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia viridigaster)
“Green-bellied Hummingbird” (A. v. viridigaster)
“Copper-tailed Hummingbird” (A. v. cupreicauda)
Rufous-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia tzacatl)
“Rufous-tailed Hummingbird” (A. t. tzacatl)
“Escudo Hummingbird” (A. t. handleyi)
Buff-bellied Hummingbird (Amazilia yucatanensis)
“Yucatán Hummingbird” (A. y. yucatanensis)
“Buff-bellied Hummingbird” (A. y. cerviniventris)
Cinnamon Hummingbird (Amazilia rutila)
“Tres Marías Hummingbird” (A. r. graysoni)
“Cinnamon Hummingbird” (A. r. rutila)
Violet-crowned Hummingbird (Amazilia violiceps)
Green-fronted Hummingbird (Amazilia viridifrons)
Cinnamon-sided Hummingbird (Amazilia wagneri)
Copper-rumped Hummingbird (Amazilia tobaci)
Red-billed Streamertail (Trochilus polytmus)
Black-billed Streamertail (Trochilus scitulus)
Golden-tailed Sapphire (Chrysuronia oenone)
Pirre Hummingbird (Goethalsia bella)
Violet-capped Hummingbird (Goldmania violiceps)
Sapphire-throated Hummingbird (Lepidopyga coeruleogularis)
Sapphire-bellied Hummingbird (Lepidopyga lilliae)
Shining-green Hummingbird (Lepidopyga goudoti)
Violet-bellied Hummingbird (Juliamyia julie)
Humboldt’s Sapphire (Hylocharis humboldtii)
Blue-throated Goldentail (Hylocharis eliciae)
Rufous-throated Sapphire (Hylocharis sapphirina)
White-chinned Sapphire (Hylocharis cyanus)
Gilded Hummingbird (Hylocharis chrysura)
Blue-headed Sapphire (Hylocharis grayi)
Blue-chinned Sapphire (Chlorestes notata)
White-eared Hummingbird (Basilinna leucotis)
Xantus’s Hummingbird (Basilinna xantusii)
Rivoli’s Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens)
Talamanca Hummingbird (Eugenes spectabilis)
Fiery-throated Hummingbird (Panterpe insignis)
Long-billed Starthroat (Heliomaster longirostris)
Plain-capped Starthroat (Heliomaster constantii)
Stripe-breasted Starthroat (Heliomaster squamosus)
Blue-tufted Starthroat (Heliomaster furcifer)
Green-throated Mountain-gem (Lampornis viridipallens)
Green-breasted Mountain-gem (Lampornis sybillae)
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem (Lampornis amethystinus)
“Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem” (L. a. amethystinus)
“Violet-throated Mountain-gem” (L. a. margaritae)
Blue-throated Mountain-gem (Lampornis clemenciae)
White-bellied Mountain-gem (Lampornis hemileucus)
Purple-throated Mountain-gem (Lampornis calolaemus)
White-throated Mountain-gem (Lampornis castaneoventris)
Gray-tailed Mountain-gem (Lampornis cinereicauda)
Garnet-throated Hummingbird (Lamprolaima rhami)
Purple-collared Woodstar (Myrtis fanny)
Chilean Woodstar (Eulidia yarrellii)
Oasis Hummingbird (Rhodopis vesper)
Peruvian Sheartail (Thaumastura cora)
White-bellied Woodstar (Chaetocercus mulsant)
Little Woodstar (Chaetocercus bombus)
Gorgeted Woodstar (Chaetocercus heliodor)
Santa Marta Woodstar (Chaetocercus astreans)
Esmeraldas Woodstar (Chaetocercus berlepschi)
Rufous-shafted Woodstar (Chaetocercus jourdaniii)
Short-tailed Woodstar (Myrmia micrura)
Slender-tailed Woodstar (Microstilbon burmeisteri)
Bahama Woodstar (Nesophlox evelynae)
Inagua Woodstar (Nesophlox lyrura)
Magenta-throated Woodstar (Calliphlox bryantae)
Purple-throated Woodstar (Calliphlox mitchellii)
Amethyst Woodstar (Calliphlox amethystina)
Slender Sheartail (Doricha enicura)
Mexican Sheartail (Doricha eliza)
Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird (Tilmatura dupontii)
Lucifer Hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer)
Beautiful Hummingbird (Calothorax pulcher)
Vervain Hummingbird (Mellisuga minima)
Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae)
Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna)
Costa’s Hummingbird (Calypte costae)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri)
Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus)
Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)
Allen’s Hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin)
Volcano Hummingbird (Selasphorus flammula)
“Violet-throated Hummingbird” (S. f. flammula)
“Heliotrope-throated Hummingbird” (S. f. torridus)
“Rose-throated Hummingbird” (S. f. simoni)
Glow-throated Hummingbird (Selasphorus ardens)
Scintillant Hummingbird (Selasphorus scintilla)
Calliope Hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope)
Bumblebee Hummingbird (Atthis heloisa)
Wine-throated Hummingbird (Atthis ellioti)
References
Fogden, M., M. Taylor, and S.L. Williamson. 2014. Hummingbirds: A Life-size Guide to Every Species. HarperCollins, New York.
McGuire, J.A., C.C. Witt, J.V. Remsen, R. Dudley, and D.L. Altshuler. 2009. A higher-level taxonomy for hummingbirds. Journal of Ornithology 150:155-165.
McGuire, J.A., C.C. Witt, J.V. Remsen, A. Corl, D.L. Rabosky, D.L. Altshuler, and R. Dudley. 2014. Molecular phylogenetics and the diversification of hummingbirds. Current Biology 24:1-7.
Remson, J.V., F.G. Stiles, and J.A. McGuire. 2015. Classification of the Polytminae (Aves: Trochilidae). Zootaxa 3597:143-150.
Roberson, D. 2016. Bird Families of the World: Hummingbirds, Trochiliidae, http://creagrus.home.montereybay.com/hummingbirds.html. (Posted June 16, 2016. Accessed October 30, 2018.)
Stiles, F.G., J.V. Remsen, and J.A. McGuire. 2017. The generic classification of the Trochilini (Aves: Trochilidae): Reconciling taxonomy with phylogeny. Zootaxa 4353:401-424.