Long-tailed Sylph © flickr.com

Genus name formerly given as Cyanolesbia, but this is not applicable. Forms a superspecies with Violet-tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus coelestis) and Violet-tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus coelestis) and all have sometimes been considered conspecific, but notable differences in morphology and range, especially altitudinal, indicate that separate species status is more appropriate. Evidence suggests hybridization very limited in areas of contact. Subspecies emmae has also been considered a separate species, usually incorporating caudatus or mocoa, or both, as subspecies. Forms described as "Chalcostigma purpureicauda" and "Zodalia thaumasta", both known only from single specimens, are apparently hybrids of present species and Black-tailed Trainbearer (Lesbia victoriae). "Neolesbia nehrkorni" is known from only two specimens and appears to be a hybrid of present species with Purple-backed Thornbill (Ramphomicron microrhynchum), or perhaps with Fork-tailed Woodnymph (Thalurania furcata) or Crowned Woodnymph (Thalurania colombica).

The following 6 subspecies are recognised:

• margarethae (Heine, 1863)   -  North-central and coastal Venezuela.
• caudatus (von Berlepsch, 1892)   -  Western Venezuela and northern Colombia.
• emmae (von Berlepsch, 1892)   -  Central Andes of northern Colombia to western Andes of southern Colombia and north-western Ecuador.
• kingii (Lesson, 1832)   -  Eastern Andes of Colombia.
• mocoa (Delattre & Bourcier, 1846)   -  Central Andes of southern Colombia, Ecuador and northern Peru.
• smaragdinus (Gould, 1846)   -  Eastern Andes of Peru and west-central Bolivia.

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BirdLife International For more information about the Long-tailed Sylph see... BirdLife International Species Factsheet. Articles about the Long-tailed Sylph If you would like to read any articles about the Long-tailed Sylph... Show Articles (0) No Pictures of Long-tailed Sylph If Birdpedia has no pictures of Long-tailed Sylph or you would like to see more, then try the following...       From BING (10) No Videos of Long-tailed Sylph If Birdpedia has no videos of Long-tailed Sylph or you would like to see more, then try the following..       From BING (0)