Eucephala subcærulea

This species was described by Mr. Elliot, and I have never seen a specimen myself.

It is shown by him to belong to the green-headed section of the genus, and differs from its allies in having the throat, breast, and abdomen cærulean blue, with the upper and under tail-coverts dark green.

Mr. Elliot gives the following account of the bird, which is supposed to have come from Brazil:—

This species appears to be intermediate between E. cærulea and E. hypocyanea, as represented by the type in Mr. Gould’s collection. From the first of these it can be readily distinguished by the rich blue of the underparts, which are metallic green in E. cærulea, the blue being confined in that species to a spot on the chin. To the second of the above-named species it bears a closer affinity, but differs in the dull green upper tail-coverts, the metallic green under tail-coverts, and buffy white thighs, these parts in E. hypocyanea being respectively reddish bronze, brownish black with bronzy tips, and brown. Besides these differences, the blue of the under surface is not of the same colour, and also differently dispersed over the plumage.

Upper part of head and back dark dull green, rest of back and upper tail-coverts dark green, with a rufous tinge dispersed all over these parts; throat, breast, and abdomen beautiful metallic cerulean blue; flanks shining grass-green. Lower part of abdomen covered by fluffy white feathers. Under tail-coverts metallic green. Wings purple. Tail bluish black. Maxilla black; mandible yellow (in life possibly red) for its entire length, save the tip, which is black. Feet brownish black. Thighs buffy white. Length 3\(\frac{1}{8}\) inches, bill \(\frac{5}{8}\), wing 2\(\frac{1}{8}\), tail 1\(\frac{1}{8}\).

References

More hummingbirds in the genus Eucephala

• Eucephala Grayi Blue-headed Sapphire
• Eucephala smaragdo-cærulea Green and Blue Sapphire
• Eucephala chlorocephala Green-headed Sapphire
• Eucephala cæruleo-lavata Reeve’s Sapphire
• Eucephala hypocyanea Blue-breasted Sapphire
• Eucephala cærulea Blue-chinned Sapphire
• Eucephala scapulata Black-bellied Sapphire
• Eucephala pyropygia Fire-rumped Sapphire
• Eucephala cyanogenys Blue-faced Sapphire