Snowcap

SCI Name:  Microchera albocoronata
Protonym:  Mellisuga albo-coronata Ann.Lyc.Nat.Hist.N.Y. 6 p.137 pl.4
Taxonomy:  Caprimulgiformes / Trochilidae / Microchera
Taxonomy Code:  snowca1
Type Locality:  Bel6n, Veragua, Panama
Author:  Lawrence
Publish Year:  1855
IUCN Status:  Least Concern

DEFINITIONS

MICROCHERA
(Trochilidae; Ϯ Snowcap M. albocoronata) Gr. μικρος mikros  small; χηρα khēra  widow (i.e. in mourning, black); "MICROCHERA ALBOCORONATA.  Snow-cap.   ....   On instituting an examination and comparison of this bird with the other forms of the family, I at once perceived that it differed in its characters from every one of them, and, consequently, that it was necessary to constitute it the type of a new genus, and with the kind assistance of P. L. Sclater, Esq., I have instituted that of Microchera for its reception.   ...   At first view the full-plumaged bird has the appearance of being only black and white, as the metallic reflexions are not very observable except on examination.  It is a very small species, and, as far as I have been able to ascertain, is unique among its kindred in having the crown entirely white." (Gould 1858); "Microchera Gould, Monogr. Trochil., pt. 16, Sept., 1858, pl. [12] and text [= 2, pl. 116 of volume]. Type, by monotypy and original designation, Mellisuga albo-coronata Lawrence." (Peters 1945, V, 78).
● (hybrid; Steganura x Vidua Ϯ Microchera haagneri) Gr. μικρος mikros  small; genus Chera Bonaparte, 1850, widowbird; "MICROCHERA, gen. nov., type Microchera haagneri, spec. nov." (A. Roberts 1926): alluding to the length of the longer tail-feathers compared to Vidua hypocherina.

albocoronata / albocoronatus
L. albus  white; coronatus  crowned  < coronare  to crown  < corona  crown.

SUBSPECIES

Snowcap (parvirostris)
SCI Name: Microchera albocoronata parvirostris
parvirostris
L. parvus  small; -rostris  -billed  < rostrum  beak.
● ex “Pato pico pequeño” of de Azara 1802-1805, no. 432 (syn. Anas sibilatrix).
● "54.  Tetrao, L.   141. urogallus, L.  (major, Br.  crassirostris, Brehm.  hybridus, L. cum Lyr. tetrice.  medius, Leisl.  intermedius, Langsd.  pseudourogallus, Brehm.  maculatus, Brehm.  urogalloides, Nilss.)   142. parvirostris, Bp.  (urogalloides, Middend.)" (Bonaparte 1856).  According to Mlíkovsky 2012, "the Black-billed Capercaillie should be called Tetrao urogalloides Middendorff, 1853, not Tetrao parvirostris Bonaparte, 1856." (syn. Tetrao urogalloides).

Snowcap (albocoronata)
SCI Name: Microchera albocoronata albocoronata
albocoronata / albocoronatus
L. albus  white; coronatus  crowned  < coronare  to crown  < corona  crown.