SPECIES
Andean Hillstar Oreotrochilus estella
Andy Johnson
Version: 1.0 — Published September 21, 2012
Version: 1.0 — Published September 21, 2012
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Priorities for Future Research
Introduction
Little is known about the breeding biology and taxonomy of Andean Hillstar. While several studies have focused on the birds’ ability to become torpid, there have been no long-term studies assessing the breeding biology of the species (e.g., longevity, mortality, reproductive rates and success). Also, no studies have employed broad geographic sampling to analyze the taxonomy of the species group ranging from Ecuador to south-central Chile, including the Ecuadorian (Oreotrochilus chimborazo) and White-sided (Oreotrochilus leucopleurus) hillstars. Measurements with larger sample sizes taken from a range of sites along the Andes may give some insight into the clinal variation of this group.