Piura Hemispingus (Sphenopsis piurae) [XC69841]
by Charlie Vogt from El Porongo - RVS Laquipampa, Peru (song)
Piura Hemispingus (Sphenopsis) [XC210393]
by Dan Lane from Reserva Bosque Hanne, Utuana, Loja, Ecuador (song)
Subspecies
Genus has been thought to belong with New World warblers (Parulidae), but recent molecular-genetic data support placement in present family. Monophyly of genus questioned, supported by some molecular data, but other molecular data equivocal. Along with Black-eared Hemispingus (Sphenopsis melanotis) and Hemispingus ochraceus usually treated as conspecific, but differ from one another markedly in plumage and habitat and all tentatively accorded full species rank. Also, present species exhibits some vocal differences, and limited molecular-genetic data suggest that it is at least as distinct from Black-eared Hemispingus (Sphenopsis melanotis) as latter is from Oleaginous Hemispingus (Sphenopsis frontalis). A review of group is warranted.
Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Black-eared Hemispingus (Sphenopsis melanotis).
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
piurae Chapman, 1923 - Extreme southern Ecuador (southern Loja) and immediately adjacent Peru (northern end of both slopes of western Andes in Piura and Cajamarca). Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Black-eared Hemispingus (Sphenopsis melanotis).
macrophrys Koepcke, 1961 - La Libertad (upper R Chicama valley, on western slope of Andes), in north-western Peru. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Black-eared Hemispingus (Sphenopsis melanotis).
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