Plain-capped Starthroat (Heliomaster constantii) [XC449315]
by Richard E. Webster from Alamos, Sonora, Mexico (call)
Plain-capped Starthroat (Heliomaster constantii) [XC449314]
by Richard E. Webster from Alamos, Sonora, Mexico (call)
Subspecies
Together with Long-billed Starthroat (Heliomaster longirostris) occasionally separated in genus Anthoscenus, on basis of squarish tail, rounded rectrices and details of bill morphology. However, the distinguishing features vary in a continuum between these species and Blue-tufted Starthroat (Heliomaster furcifer), with Stripe-breasted Starthroat (Heliomaster squamosus) occupying intermediate position, and treatment of all four as congeners now generally accepted. Some authors also merge Rhodopis. Intergradation between subspecies leocadiae and nominate apparently occurs in El Salvador.
Proposed subspecies surdus of western Mexico now usually considered a synonym of leocadiae.
The following 3 subspecies are recognised:
pinicola Gould, 1853 - North-western Mexico (south to Jalisco).
leocadiae (Bourcier & Mulsant, 1852) - Western and south-western Mexico and western Guatemala.
constantii (DeLattre, 1843) - El Salvador to southern Costa Rica.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet