Blue-mantled Thornbill

The blue-mantled thornbill (Chalcostigma stanleyi) is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru. == Taxonomy and systematics == The taxonomy of genus Chalcostigma is unsettled. The South American Classification Committee (SACC) of the American Ornithological Society is considering a proposal to merge the genus into Oxypogon. The blue-mantled thornbill has three recognized subspecies, the nominate C. s. stanleyi (Bourcier, 1851), C. s. versigulare (Zimmer, 1924), and C. s. vulcani (Gould, 1852). == Description == The blue-mantled thornbill is 12 to 13 cm (4.7 to 5.1 in) long; males weigh about 6.2 g (0.22 oz) and females 4.5 g (0.16 oz). Both sexes have a short straight black bill and a small white spot behind the eye. Adult males of the nominate subspecies are generally dark sooty brown. The crown and nape have a bronzy green sheen, the back reflects violet-blue, and the uppertail coverts are turquoise. The forked tail is steel blue. They have a narrow gorget that is emerald green on the chin and transitions through pink to purple-violet or violet-blue at the lower edge. Adult females are similar, but the gorget has only the green…