Berylline Hummingbird (Saucerottia beryllina) [XC593002]
by Isain Contreras Rodr\u00edguez from Mx, Distrito Federal, Xochimilco, Mexico (call)
Berylline Hummingbird (Saucerottia beryllina) [XC695307]
by Richard E. Webster from San agustin Etla, Peque\u00f1a colina, Mexico (call)
Subspecies
Forms a superspecies with Blue-tailed Hummingbird (Amazilia cyanura). Reports of hybridization in a small zone of sympatry in Guatemala and El Salvador seem to be unproven, and may be erroneously based on variable tail coloration of present species. Subspecies sumichrasti, long ignored, has proved to represent a well-marked subspecies. Individuals of westernmost subpopulation of nominate subspecies show intergradation towards viola in belly coloration.
Proposed subspecies motaguae from eastern Guatemala is invalid, as main distinguishing characters can be ascribed to juvenile or female plumage.
The following 5 subspecies are recognised:
viola (Miller, W, 1905) - North-western and western Mexico, rarely south-western USA.