Long-tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus kingii) [XC257864]
by Jonas Nilsson from Napo: 'Caba\u00f1as San Isidro', 1-2 km SW Cosanga, Ecuador (call, calls)
Long-tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus kingii) [XC257863]
by John V. Moore from Napo: 'Caba\u00f1as San Isidro', 1-2 km SW Cosanga, Ecuador (call, , calls)
Subspecies
Aglaiocercus kingi (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into Long-tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus kingii) and Venezuelan Sylph (Aglaiocercus berlepschi) following SACC (2005).
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 Blue-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.