443

STRIPE-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD  Eupherusa eximia (p. 226). Differences in morphology, plumage,

and voice suggest that the eximia group (Mexico to Nicaragua; Northern Stripe-tailed Hummingbird)

and egregia group (Costa Rica to Panama; Southern Stripe-tailed Hummingbird) may represent

separate species.

SALVIN’S [CANIVET’S] EMERALD  Cynanthus [canivetii] salvini (p. 228). As explained by Howell

(1993a), Salvin’s Emerald is distinct from Canivet’s Emerald, and both were treated as species by Howell

& Webb (1995). The ranges of the 2 taxa approach (or overlap?) in Guatemala and adjacent Mexico,

but with no evidence of hybrids. The morphological differences are comparable to (or greater than) those

between other accepted species-level taxa of hummingbirds, such as Salvin’s Emerald and Garden Emerald

C. assimilis in Costa Rica.

ALFARO’S/INDIGO-CAPPED HUMMINGBIRD  ‘Amazilia alfaroana’/Saucerottia cyanifrons. Described

as “perhaps the foremost ornithological mystery in Costa Rica” (Stiles & Skutch 1989), a specimen

collected in 1895 on Volcán Miravalles has been identified as the lone Central American example of

Indigo-capped Hummingbird; as a hybrid; or as possibly a now extinct species (Kirwan & Collar 2016).

We are puzzled why a hummingbird would have such a limited distribution in a region (and habitat)

not prone to restricted endemics, and consider a unique hybrid to be a more parsimonious explanation

(perhaps Blue-vented Hummingbird × Crowned Woodnymph?). Time may yet tell…

WHITE-CHINNED SWIFT  Cypseloides cryptus (p. 234). Critical study is needed of birds in n. Central

America, and of the enigmatic taxon storeri in Mexico, to resolve species limits in the White-chinned Swift

complex (cf. Howell 1993b).

RICHMOND’S SWIFT  Chaetura [vauxi] richmondi (p. 236). Differences in morphology, plumage,

voice, and ecology indicate that the resident richmondi group (Middle America) and migratory vauxi

group (N America; Vaux’s Swift) are best treated as separate species.

HELLMAYR’S [GRAY-RUMPED] SWIFT  Chaetura [cinereiventris] phaeopygos (p. 236). Differences in

morphology, plumage, and voice indicate that the phaeopgygos group (Central America) is best treated as

a species distinct from the widespread cinereiventris group (S America), with the latter likely including

further cryptic species.

BROWN-BANDED [BROWN-CHESTED] MARTIN  Phaeoprogne [tapera] fusca (p. 238). Differences in

plumage, ecology, and voice indicate that the migratory fusca group (breeding s. S America) and widespread

resident tapera group (n. and cen. S America; Brown-breasted Martin) are best treated as separate species.

Genus Phaeoprogne differs from Progne in structure, flight manner, lack of sexual dimorphism.

CAVE SWALLOW  Petrochelidon fulva (p. 240). Differences in morphology, plumage, and voice suggest

that the pallida group (n. Mexico and sw. US; Northern Cave Swallow) and citata group (se. Mexico;

Yucatan Cave Swallow) may be separate species; status of Caribbean taxa in Cave Swallow complex also

in need of study.

BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW  Pygochelidon cyanoleuca (p. 242). Differences in morphology, plumage,

ecology, and voice suggest that the widespread cyanoleuca group (Costa Rica to S America; Mountain

Swallow) and migratory patagonica group (breeds s. S America; Patagonian Swallow) may be separate

species; affiliation of peruviana in coastal Peru likely with cyanoleuca; study needed.

NORTHERN WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER  Glyphorynchus [spirurus] pectoralis  (p. 244).

Differences in plumage and voice indicate that the pectoralis group (Mexico to nw. S America) is best

treated as a species distinct from other S American populations of Wedge-billed Woodcreeper complex,

which may comprise further cryptic species.

GRAYISH [OLIVACEOUS] WOODCREEPER  Sittasomus [griseicapillus] griseus (p. 244). Differences in

plumage and voice indicate that the griseus group (Mexico to n. S America) is best treated as a species

distinct from other S American populations of the Olivaceous Woodcreeper complex, which comprises

further cryptic species.

COSTA RICAN [BLACK-BANDED] WOODCREEPER  Dendrocolaptes [picumnus] costaricensis (p. 246).

Differences in plumage, morphology, and voice suggest that the costaricensis group (Costa Rica to w.

Panama) is best treated as specifically distinct from other populations of Black-banded Woodcreeper

D. picumnus, which comprises further cryptic species.