Oasis Hummingbird

The oasis hummingbird (Rhodopis vesper) is a species of hummingbird in tribe Mellisugini of subfamily Trochilinae, the "bee hummingbirds". It is the only species placed in the genus Rhodopis. It is found in Chile and Peru == Taxonomy and systematics == The oasis hummingbird has three subspecies, the nominate R. v. vesper, R. v. koepckeae, and R. v. atacamensis. The last was at one time treated as a separate species, but since the mid twentieth century has had its current status. == Description == The oasis hummingbird is 11 to 13.5 cm (4.3 to 5.3 in) long and weighs about 4 g (0.14 oz). Both sexes have a long, black, decurved bill. The nominate subspecies is larger and has a longer and stouter bill than the other two, but the three are otherwise alike. Both sexes have olive green upperparts with a cinnamon rump and uppertail coverts. Females have a small white dot behind the eye and males a longer white stripe. Males have an iridescent gorget that ranges from rosy violet to purple with turquoise to the rear. Their underparts are dull white with a dull green wash on the flanks. The tail is deeply forked; its central feathers…