Purple-backed Thornbill

The purple-backed thornbill (Ramphomicron microrhynchum) is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. == Taxonomy and systematics == The purple-backed thornbill shares its genus with the black-backed thornbill (R. dorsale). It has these four subspecies: R. m. andicola Simon (1921) R. m. microrhynchum Boissonneau (1840) R. m. albiventre Carriker (1935) R. m. bolivianum Schuchmann (1984) Subspecies R. m. andicola and R. m. albiventre "are doubtfully distinct from [the] nominate." == Description == The purple-backed thornbill is 8 to 9 cm (3.1 to 3.5 in) long and weighs about 3.5 g (0.12 oz). Both sexes have a black bill, the shortest of any hummingbird. Males of the nominate subspecies have metallic violet-purple upperparts with a white spot behind the eye. Their gorget is iridescent golden green, the underparts bronzy green, and the undertail coverts coppery with tawny fringes. The tail is moderately long, forked, and dark purple. Nominate females have shining green upperparts, and like the male, a white spot behind the eye. Their underparts are white with green dots except on the belly. The tail is shorter than the male's and less forked, bronzy purple…