Andean Hillstar

The Andean hillstar (Oreotrochilus estella) is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. == Taxonomy and systematics == The Andean hillstar as known in 2022 has two subspecies, the nominate O. e. estella and O. e. bolivianus. Subspecies bolivianus has been variously treated as a separate species and as indistinguishable from the nominate and therefore not a subspecies; these treatments have not been accepted by current taxomomies. Until 2019 what is now the green-headed hillstar (O. stolzmanni) was considered a third subspecies of the Andean. The white-sided hillstar (O. leucopleurus) has been suggested as another subspecies of the Andean rather than a full species but that treatment has also not been accepted. == Description == The Andean hillstar is 13 to 15 cm (5.1 to 5.9 in) long. Males weigh about 8.8 g (0.31 oz) and females about 8.0 g (0.28 oz). Adults have a medium length slightly decurved black bill. The adult male of the nominate subspecies has drab brown upperparts. It has a shiny green gorget with a black border that separates it from the white breast and belly. The belly has a rufous…