Mountain Velvetbreast
Photo © Dan Vickers
Photo © Dan Vickers — CC BY 4.0 — Source: iNaturalist #259391866The mountain velvetbreast (Lafresnaya lafresnayi) is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. == Taxonomy and systematics == The mountain velvetbreast is the only member of its genus. Seven subspecies are recognized: L. l. liriope Bangs (1910) L. l. longirostris Schuchmann, Weller & Wulfmeyer (2003) L. l. greenewalti Phelps & Phelps Jr (1961) L. l. lafresnayi Boissonneau (1840) L. l. saul Delattre & Bourcier (1846) L. l. orestes Zimmer, JT (1951) L. l. rectirostris Berlepsch & Stolzmann (1902) In the early 20th century at least one author treated L. l. liriope and L. l. saul as separate species. == Description == The mountain velvetbreast is 11.5 to 12 cm (4.5 to 4.7 in) long including its 2.7 to 3.2 cm (1.1 to 1.3 in) bill. It weighs 4.5 to 6.3 g (0.16 to 0.22 oz). Males have a thin decurved black bill whose length and curvature vary among the subspecies. The female's bill is less curved than the male's and also varies geographically. All subspecies have a white spot behind the eye. Adult males of the nominate subspecies L. l. lafresnayi have grass green upperparts. Their…
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