Trochilini

Trochilini is one of the three tribes that make up the subfamily Trochilinae in the hummingbird family Trochilidae. The other two tribes in the subfamily are Lampornithini (mountain gems) and Mellisugini (bees).

The informal name "emeralds" has been proposed for this group. Several genera contain species with "emerald" in their common name including Chlorostilbon which contains ten. The tribe contains 114 species divided into 36 genera.

Phylogeny

A molecular phylogenetic study of the hummingbirds published in 2007 found that the species formed nine major clades. When Edward Dickinson and James Van Remsen, Jr. updated the Howard and Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World for the 4th edition in 2013 they based their classification on these results and placed three of the nine clades in the subfamily Trochilinae. The clades were placed in separate tribes which they named Trochilini (emeralds), Lampornithini (mountain gems) and Mellisugini (bees). The tribe Trochilini with the current circumscription was introduced in 2009.

Molecular phylogenetic studies by Jimmy McGuire and collaborators published between 2007 and 2014 determined the relationships between the major groups of hummingbirds. In the cladogram below the English names are those introduced in 1997. The Latin names are those proposed by Dickinson and Remsen in 2013.

Trochilidae	Florisuginae – topazes Phaethornithinae – hermits Polytminae – mangoes Lesbiinae Heliantheini – brilliants Lesbiini – coquettes Patagoninae – giant hummingbird Trochilinae Lampornithini – mountain gems Mellisugini – bees Trochilini – emeralds
	Florisuginae – topazes Phaethornithinae – hermits
	Florisuginae – topazes

	Phaethornithinae – hermits


	Polytminae – mangoes Lesbiinae Heliantheini – brilliants Lesbiini – coquettes Patagoninae – giant hummingbird Trochilinae Lampornithini – mountain gems Mellisugini – bees Trochilini – emeralds
	Polytminae – mangoes

	Lesbiinae Heliantheini – brilliants Lesbiini – coquettes Patagoninae – giant hummingbird Trochilinae Lampornithini – mountain gems Mellisugini – bees Trochilini – emeralds
Lesbiinae	Heliantheini – brilliants Lesbiini – coquettes
	Heliantheini – brilliants

	Lesbiini – coquettes


	Patagoninae – giant hummingbird Trochilinae Lampornithini – mountain gems Mellisugini – bees Trochilini – emeralds
	Patagoninae – giant hummingbird

Trochilinae	Lampornithini – mountain gems Mellisugini – bees Trochilini – emeralds
	Lampornithini – mountain gems Mellisugini – bees
	Lampornithini – mountain gems

	Mellisugini – bees


	Trochilini – emeralds

The 2014 study by McGuire led to a major revision of the classification of the Trochilini. Many of the traditional genera were found to be polyphyletic and as a result the classification was substantially revised as shown below in the cladogram. Only one new genus was introduced (Elliotomyia) but eleven genera were resurrected (Phaeoptila, Riccordia, Pampa, Thaumasius, Talaphorus, Leucolia which was later renamed Ramosomyia, Saucerottia, Amazilis, Uranomitra, Chionomesa and Polyerata). At the same time six of the former genera were synonymized (Aphantochroa, Cyanophaia, Elvira, Goethalsia, Juliamyia and Lepidopyga).

Trochilini	Phaeoptila – dusky hummingbird Riccordia – 6 species Cynanthus – 5 species Chlorostilbon – 10 species: emeralds Basilinna – 2 species Pampa – 4 species: sabrewings Klais – violet-headed hummingbird Abeillia – emerald-chinned hummingbird Orthorhynchus – Antillean crested hummingbird Stephanoxis – 2 species: plovercrests Anthocephala – 2 species: blossomcrowns Campylopterus – 10 species Microchera – 3 species Goldmania – 2 species Eupherusa – 5 species Chalybura – 2 species: plumeleteers Thalurania – 4 species: woodnymphs Phaeochroa – scaly-breasted hummingbird Leucippus – buffy hummingbird Thaumasius – 2 species Taphrospilus – many-spotted hummingbird Eupetomena – 2 species Talaphorus – 2 species Trochilus – 2 species: streamertails Ramosomyia – 3 species Saucerottia – 10 species Amazilia – 5 species Amazilis – amazilia hummingbird Uranomitra – Andean emerald Chrysuronia – 9 species Leucochloris – white-throated hummingbird Chionomesa – 2 species: emeralds Hylocharis – 2 species: sapphires Elliotomyia – 2 species Polyerata – 3 species Chlorestes – 5 species
	Phaeoptila – dusky hummingbird Riccordia – 6 species Cynanthus – 5 species Chlorostilbon – 10 species: emeralds Basilinna – 2 species Pampa – 4 species: sabrewings Klais – violet-headed hummingbird Abeillia – emerald-chinned hummingbird Orthorhynchus – Antillean crested hummingbird Stephanoxis – 2 species: plovercrests Anthocephala – 2 species: blossomcrowns Campylopterus – 10 species
	Phaeoptila – dusky hummingbird Riccordia – 6 species Cynanthus – 5 species Chlorostilbon – 10 species: emeralds
	Phaeoptila – dusky hummingbird

	Riccordia – 6 species Cynanthus – 5 species Chlorostilbon – 10 species: emeralds
	Riccordia – 6 species

	Cynanthus – 5 species Chlorostilbon – 10 species: emeralds
	Cynanthus – 5 species

	Chlorostilbon – 10 species: emeralds




	Basilinna – 2 species Pampa – 4 species: sabrewings Klais – violet-headed hummingbird Abeillia – emerald-chinned hummingbird Orthorhynchus – Antillean crested hummingbird Stephanoxis – 2 species: plovercrests Anthocephala – 2 species: blossomcrowns Campylopterus – 10 species
	Basilinna – 2 species

	Pampa – 4 species: sabrewings Klais – violet-headed hummingbird Abeillia – emerald-chinned hummingbird Orthorhynchus – Antillean crested hummingbird Stephanoxis – 2 species: plovercrests Anthocephala – 2 species: blossomcrowns Campylopterus – 10 species
	Pampa – 4 species: sabrewings

	Klais – violet-headed hummingbird Abeillia – emerald-chinned hummingbird Orthorhynchus – Antillean crested hummingbird Stephanoxis – 2 species: plovercrests Anthocephala – 2 species: blossomcrowns Campylopterus – 10 species
	Klais – violet-headed hummingbird Abeillia – emerald-chinned hummingbird Orthorhynchus – Antillean crested hummingbird Stephanoxis – 2 species: plovercrests Anthocephala – 2 species: blossomcrowns
	Klais – violet-headed hummingbird Abeillia – emerald-chinned hummingbird
	Klais – violet-headed hummingbird

	Abeillia – emerald-chinned hummingbird


	Orthorhynchus – Antillean crested hummingbird Stephanoxis – 2 species: plovercrests Anthocephala – 2 species: blossomcrowns
	Orthorhynchus – Antillean crested hummingbird

	Stephanoxis – 2 species: plovercrests Anthocephala – 2 species: blossomcrowns
	Stephanoxis – 2 species: plovercrests

	Anthocephala – 2 species: blossomcrowns




	Campylopterus – 10 species





	Microchera – 3 species Goldmania – 2 species Eupherusa – 5 species Chalybura – 2 species: plumeleteers Thalurania – 4 species: woodnymphs Phaeochroa – scaly-breasted hummingbird Leucippus – buffy hummingbird Thaumasius – 2 species Taphrospilus – many-spotted hummingbird Eupetomena – 2 species Talaphorus – 2 species Trochilus – 2 species: streamertails Ramosomyia – 3 species Saucerottia – 10 species Amazilia – 5 species Amazilis – amazilia hummingbird Uranomitra – Andean emerald Chrysuronia – 9 species Leucochloris – white-throated hummingbird Chionomesa – 2 species: emeralds Hylocharis – 2 species: sapphires Elliotomyia – 2 species Polyerata – 3 species Chlorestes – 5 species
	Microchera – 3 species Goldmania – 2 species Eupherusa – 5 species Chalybura – 2 species: plumeleteers Thalurania – 4 species: woodnymphs
	Microchera – 3 species Goldmania – 2 species Eupherusa – 5 species
	Microchera – 3 species

	Goldmania – 2 species Eupherusa – 5 species
	Goldmania – 2 species

	Eupherusa – 5 species



	Chalybura – 2 species: plumeleteers Thalurania – 4 species: woodnymphs
	Chalybura – 2 species: plumeleteers

	Thalurania – 4 species: woodnymphs



	Phaeochroa – scaly-breasted hummingbird Leucippus – buffy hummingbird Thaumasius – 2 species Taphrospilus – many-spotted hummingbird Eupetomena – 2 species Talaphorus – 2 species Trochilus – 2 species: streamertails Ramosomyia – 3 species Saucerottia – 10 species Amazilia – 5 species Amazilis – amazilia hummingbird Uranomitra – Andean emerald Chrysuronia – 9 species Leucochloris – white-throated hummingbird Chionomesa – 2 species: emeralds Hylocharis – 2 species: sapphires Elliotomyia – 2 species Polyerata – 3 species Chlorestes – 5 species
	Phaeochroa – scaly-breasted hummingbird Leucippus – buffy hummingbird
	Phaeochroa – scaly-breasted hummingbird

	Leucippus – buffy hummingbird


	Thaumasius – 2 species Taphrospilus – many-spotted hummingbird Eupetomena – 2 species Talaphorus – 2 species Trochilus – 2 species: streamertails Ramosomyia – 3 species Saucerottia – 10 species Amazilia – 5 species Amazilis – amazilia hummingbird Uranomitra – Andean emerald Chrysuronia – 9 species Leucochloris – white-throated hummingbird Chionomesa – 2 species: emeralds Hylocharis – 2 species: sapphires Elliotomyia – 2 species Polyerata – 3 species Chlorestes – 5 species
	Thaumasius – 2 species Taphrospilus – many-spotted hummingbird Eupetomena – 2 species
	Thaumasius – 2 species

	Taphrospilus – many-spotted hummingbird Eupetomena – 2 species
	Taphrospilus – many-spotted hummingbird

	Eupetomena – 2 species



	Talaphorus – 2 species Trochilus – 2 species: streamertails Ramosomyia – 3 species Saucerottia – 10 species Amazilia – 5 species Amazilis – amazilia hummingbird Uranomitra – Andean emerald Chrysuronia – 9 species Leucochloris – white-throated hummingbird Chionomesa – 2 species: emeralds Hylocharis – 2 species: sapphires Elliotomyia – 2 species Polyerata – 3 species Chlorestes – 5 species
	Talaphorus – 2 species Trochilus – 2 species: streamertails Ramosomyia – 3 species Saucerottia – 10 species
	Talaphorus – 2 species

	Trochilus – 2 species: streamertails Ramosomyia – 3 species Saucerottia – 10 species
	Trochilus – 2 species: streamertails

	Ramosomyia – 3 species Saucerottia – 10 species
	Ramosomyia – 3 species

	Saucerottia – 10 species




	Amazilia – 5 species Amazilis – amazilia hummingbird Uranomitra – Andean emerald Chrysuronia – 9 species Leucochloris – white-throated hummingbird Chionomesa – 2 species: emeralds Hylocharis – 2 species: sapphires Elliotomyia – 2 species Polyerata – 3 species Chlorestes – 5 species
	Amazilia – 5 species

	Amazilis – amazilia hummingbird Uranomitra – Andean emerald Chrysuronia – 9 species Leucochloris – white-throated hummingbird Chionomesa – 2 species: emeralds Hylocharis – 2 species: sapphires Elliotomyia – 2 species Polyerata – 3 species Chlorestes – 5 species
	Amazilis – amazilia hummingbird Uranomitra – Andean emerald Chrysuronia – 9 species
	Amazilis – amazilia hummingbird

	Uranomitra – Andean emerald Chrysuronia – 9 species
	Uranomitra – Andean emerald

	Chrysuronia – 9 species



	Leucochloris – white-throated hummingbird Chionomesa – 2 species: emeralds Hylocharis – 2 species: sapphires Elliotomyia – 2 species Polyerata – 3 species Chlorestes – 5 species
	Leucochloris – white-throated hummingbird Chionomesa – 2 species: emeralds Hylocharis – 2 species: sapphires Elliotomyia – 2 species
	Leucochloris – white-throated hummingbird

	Chionomesa – 2 species: emeralds Hylocharis – 2 species: sapphires Elliotomyia – 2 species
	Chionomesa – 2 species: emeralds

	Hylocharis – 2 species: sapphires Elliotomyia – 2 species
	Hylocharis – 2 species: sapphires

	Elliotomyia – 2 species




	Polyerata – 3 species Chlorestes – 5 species
	Polyerata – 3 species

	Chlorestes – 5 species

Taxonomic list

The tribe contains 36 genera.

Image	Genus	Living species
	Phaeoptila	Dusky hummingbird, Phaeoptila sordida
	Riccordia	Cuban emerald, Riccordia ricordii Brace's emerald, Riccordia bracei Hispaniolan emerald, Riccordia swainsonii Puerto Rican emerald, Riccordia maugaeus Blue-headed hummingbird, Riccordia bicolor
	Cynanthus	Broad-billed hummingbird, Cynanthus latirostris Turquoise-crowned hummingbird, Cynanthus doubledayi Golden-crowned emerald, Cynanthus auriceps Cozumel emerald, Cynanthus forficatus Canivet's emerald, Cynanthus canivetii
	Chlorostilbon	Garden emerald, Chlorostilbon assimilis Western emerald, Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus Red-billed emerald, Chlorostilbon gibsoni Blue-tailed emerald, Chlorostilbon mellisugus Chiribiquete emerald, Chlorostilbon olivaresi Glittering-bellied emerald, Chlorostilbon lucidus Coppery emerald, Chlorostilbon russatus Narrow-tailed emerald, Chlorostilbon stenurus Green-tailed emerald, Chlorostilbon alice Short-tailed emerald, Chlorostilbon poortmani
	Basilinna	White-eared hummingbird, Basilinna leucotis Xantus's hummingbird, Basilinna xantusii
	Pampa	Curve-winged sabrewing, Pampa curvipennis Wedge-tailed sabrewing, Pampa pampa Long-tailed sabrewing, Pampa excellens Rufous sabrewing, Pampa rufa
	Abeillia	Emerald-chinned hummingbird, Abeillia abeillei
	Klais	Violet-headed hummingbird, Klais guimeti
	Orthorhyncus	Antillean crested hummingbird, Orthorhyncus cristatus
	Anthocephala	Santa Marta blossomcrown, Anthocephala floriceps Tolima blossomcrown, Anthocephala berlepschi
	Stephanoxis	Green-crowned plovercrest, Stephanoxis lalandi Purple-crowned plovercrest, Stephanoxis loddigesii
	Campylopterus	Grey-breasted sabrewing, Campylopterus largipennis Outcrop sabrewing, Campylopterus calcirupicola Diamantina sabrewing, Campylopterus diamantinensis Rufous-breasted sabrewing, Campylopterus hyperythrus White-tailed sabrewing, Campylopterus ensipennis Lazuline sabrewing, Campylopterus falcatus Santa Marta sabrewing, Campylopterus phainopeplus Violet sabrewing, Campylopterus hemileucurus Buff-breasted sabrewing, Campylopterus duidae Napo sabrewing, Campylopterus villaviscensio
	Chalybura	Bronze-tailed plumeleteer, Chalybura urochrysia White-vented plumeleteer, Chalybura buffonii
	Thalurania	Crowned woodnymph, Thalurania colombica Fork-tailed woodnymph, Thalurania furcata Long-tailed woodnymph, Thalurania watertonii Violet-capped woodnymph, Thalurania glaucopis
	Microchera	Snowcap, Microchera albocoronata Coppery-headed emerald, Microchera cupreiceps White-tailed emerald, Microchera chionura
	Goldmania	Violet-capped hummingbird, Goldmania violiceps Pirre hummingbird, Goldmania bella
	Eupherusa	Mexican woodnymph, Eupherusa ridgwayi White-tailed hummingbird, Eupherusa poliocerca Oaxaca hummingbird, Eupherusa cyanophrys Stripe-tailed hummingbird, Eupherusa eximia Black-bellied hummingbird, Eupherusa nigriventris
	Phaeochroa	Scaly-breasted hummingbird, Phaeochroa cuvierii
	Leucippus	Buffy hummingbird, Leucippus fallax
	Thaumasius	Tumbes hummingbird, Thaumasius baeri Spot-throated hummingbird, Thaumasius taczanowskii
	Taphrospilus	Many-spotted hummingbird, Taphrospilus hypostictus
	Eupetomena	Swallow-tailed hummingbird, Eupetomena macrourus Sombre hummingbird, Eupetomena cirrochloris
	Talaphorus	Olive-spotted hummingbird, Talaphorus chlorocercus
	Trochilus	Red-billed streamertail, Trochilus polytmus Black-billed streamertail, Trochilus scitulus
	Ramosomyia	Violet-crowned hummingbird, Ramosomyia violiceps Green-fronted hummingbird, Ramosomyia viridifrons Cinnamon-sided hummingbird, Ramosomyia wagneri
	Saucerottia	Azure-crowned hummingbird, Saucerottia cyanocephala Blue-vented hummingbird, Saucerottia hoffmanni Berylline hummingbird, Saucerottia beryllina Blue-tailed hummingbird, Saucerottia cyanura Snowy-bellied hummingbird, Saucerottia edward Steely-vented hummingbird, Saucerottia saucerrottei Indigo-capped hummingbird, Saucerottia cyanifrons Chestnut-bellied hummingbird, Saucerottia castaneiventris Green-bellied hummingbird, Saucerottia viridigaster Copper-rumped hummingbird, Saucerottia tobaci Copper-tailed hummingbird, Saucerottia cupreicauda
	Amazilia	Cinnamon hummingbird, Amazilia rutila Buff-bellied hummingbird, Amazilia yucatanensis Rufous-tailed hummingbird, Amazilia tzacatl Honduran emerald, Amazilia luciae Mangrove hummingbird, Amazilia boucardi
	Amazilis	Amazilia hummingbird, Amazilis amazilia
	Uranomitra	Andean emerald, Uranomitra franciae
	Chrysuronia	Shining-green hummingbird, Chrysuronia goudoti Golden-tailed sapphire, Chrysuronia oenone Versicolored emerald, Chrysuronia versicolor Sapphire-throated hummingbird, Chrysuronia coeruleogularis Sapphire-bellied hummingbird, Chrysuronia lilliae Humboldt's sapphire, Chrysuronia humboldtii Blue-headed sapphire, Chrysuronia grayi White-chested emerald, Chrysuronia brevirostris Plain-bellied emerald, Chrysuronia leucogaster
	Leucochloris	White-throated hummingbird, Leucochloris albicollis
	Chionomesa	Glittering-throated emerald, Chionomesa fimbriata Sapphire-spangled emerald, Chionomesa lactea
	Hylocharis	Rufous-throated sapphire, Hylocharis sapphirina Gilded sapphire, Hylocharis chrysura
	Elliotomyia	White-bellied hummingbird, Elliotomyia chionogaster Green-and-white hummingbird, Elliotomyia viridicauda
	Polyerata	Blue-chested hummingbird, Polyerata amabilis Charming hummingbird, Polyerata decora Purple-chested hummingbird, Polyerata rosenbergi
	Chlorestes	White-bellied emerald, Chlorestes candida Blue-throated sapphire, Chlorestes eliciae White-chinned sapphire, Chlorestes cyanus Violet-bellied hummingbird, Chlorestes julie Blue-chinned sapphire, Chlorestes notata

Sources

Dickinson, E.C.; Remsen, J.V. Jr., eds. (2013). The Howard & Moore Complete Checklist of the Birds of the World. Vol. 1: Non-passerines (4th ed.). Eastbourne, UK: Aves Press. ISBN 978-0-9568611-0-8.