Western Emerald (Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus) [XC24264]
by Jerome Fischer from Rio Palacara, Imbabura, Ecuador (song?)
Western Emerald (Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus) [XC260478]
by Mitch Lysinger from Pichincha: Tumbaco area, Ecuador (song)
Subspecies
Chlorostilbon mellisugus (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into Blue-tailed Emerald (Chlorostilbon mellisugus), Western Emerald (Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus) and Cozumel Emerald (Chlorostilbon forficatus) following SACC (2005).
Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Blue-tailed Emerald (Chlorostilbon mellisugus).
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
melanorhynchus Gould, 1860 - Western Colombia and western, central Ecuador. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Blue-tailed Emerald (Chlorostilbon mellisugus).
pumilus Gould, 1872 - Arid and semi-arid tropical and subtropical zones of western Colombia and western Ecuador. Considered by some authors to be a subspecies of Blue-tailed Emerald (Chlorostilbon mellisugus).