A revision of the Lampornis viridipallens complex (Aves: Trochilidae)
Abstract
A study of a series of 386 specimens of the Lampornis viridipallens complex indicates that there are two species in the group, L. viridipallens (Chiapas to western Honduras) and L. sybillae (eastern Honduras and northwestern Nicaragua). Differences in the display patterns of the males constitute evidence of specific rank of the two forms; differences in adult female morphology also support this view.
L. sybillae is monotypic, but L. viridipallens is polytypic with 3 races, ovandensis, viridipallens, and nubivagus. L. v. connectens is considered a synonym of the nominate race.