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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Rasmus Boegh" data-source="post: 267945" data-attributes="member: 1146"><p>The following ID relates to the first two photos, as the third leaves too much out for an ID (unless it is the same individual as the one on the first two photos). The two species to be considered are the Plain-bellied (Amazilia leucogaster) and the White-chested Emerald (A. brevirostris) - both sometimes placed in the genus Agyrtria. These two are unique in Guyana as they have mainly white underparts (incl. throat) and green upperparts. There are two main features to look at for separating these two very similar species. First is exact colour of bill, but I wouldn't use that with these photos. If seen well Plain-bellied has a dark bill with a reddish base of the lower mandible, while the entire bill of the White-chested is black. Anyway, this require very good photos to judge accurately. The second feature is the colour of the rump. It is usually slightly coppery in the Plain-bellied, while it is a more contrasting coppery (almost reddish-golden) in White-chested. As can be seen on the first two photos, the rump is only vaguely coppery, and there is only a minor contrast with the colour of the back. Hence we have an ID: Plain-bellied Emerald (Amazilia brevirostris). It should be mentioned that previously, colour of tail was believed to be conclusive for separating these species. Plain-bellied had a dark blackish tail, while White-chested had a coppery tail. Indeed, if the tail is coppery, you are certainly looking at a White-chested (as Plain-bellied never has this), but it has been shown that both species can have blackish tails.</p></blockquote><p></p>

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