#stephanoxis

Plovercrest - Stephanoxis lalandi

The stylish Plovercrest, Stephanoxis lalandi (Apodiformes - Trochilidae), a South American hummingbird distinctive by its long, tapered crest, small size, and short tail. 

Plovercrest  (Green-crowned Plovercrest, Black-breasted Plovercrest)

The Plovercrest is a small, beautiful hummingbird belonging to the species Stephanoxis lalandi (Apodiformes - Trochilidae), distinguished from all  other hummingbirds species by their characteristic long, tapered crest, small size, and short tail.

Males (pictured) are mostly glossy green with an iridescent violet throat and breast. The female is similar, but has a shorter crest and is dull white below.

This species occurs in southern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina (Missiones). Both photos show the subspecies S. lalandi lalandi, which is found only in eastern Brazil.

References: [1] - [2]

Beija-Flor de topete - Stephanoxis lalandi | ©Vitor Mariano de Almeida  (Itatiaia, RJ, Brazil)

Stephanoxis lalandi (Apodiformes - Trochilidae), commonly known as the Plovercrest or Black-breasted plovercrest, has a characteristic long, tapered crest, a small size, and short tail that distinguish it from all other hummingbirds.

The male is mostly glossy green with an iridescent violet throat and breast. Males of the nominate race have green crowns and crests, while those of the race S. l. loddigesii from the southern part of the range have blue crowns and crests. The female is similar, but has a shorter crest and is dull white below.

This species occurs in southern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina.