Taxonomy, nomenclature, and identification of the giant hummingbirds (Patagona spp.) (Aves: Trochilidae)
Data files
Jul 14, 2025 version files 141.88 KB
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README.md
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WilliamsonEtAl2025_TableS5_SouthernsMisidentifiedAsPeruviana_METADATA.csv
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WilliamsonEtAl2025_TableS5_SouthernsMisidentifiedAsPeruviana.csv
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WilliamsonEtAl2025_ZJLS_Hellmayr1932_data_METADATA.csv
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WilliamsonEtAl2025_ZJLS_Hellmayr1932_data.csv
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WilliamsonEtAl2025_ZJLS_Patagona_specimen_identification_METADATA.csv
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WilliamsonEtAl2025_ZJLS_Patagona_specimen_identification.csv
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WilliamsonEtAl2025_ZJLS_Patagona_taxonomy_morpho_git_METADATA.csv
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WilliamsonEtAl2025_ZJLS_Patagona_taxonomy_morpho_git.csv
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Abstract
Giant hummingbirds (Patagona spp.) are extraordinarily large hummingbirds whose taxonomy has been muddled for two centuries. Patagona systematics were recently redefined in a study of migration, physiology, and genomics, revealing two species: the Northern Giant Hummingbird and Southern Giant Hummingbird. Here, we re-evaluate taxonomy and nomenclature of the genus in light of its newly clarified biology and species limits, analyzing data from 608 specimens and wild-caught individuals spanning 1864–2023. The forms gigas and peruviana were both described based on multiple syntypes. The possible syntypes for Patagona gigas are dubious, so we designate a neotype for this taxon. The genetic identity of the peruviana lectotype remains untested, but its plumage appears to match the northern species. We critically considered the identity and usage of gigas and peruviana, respectively, and examined identification challenges that fostered taxonomic uncertainty. We endorse the name Patagona gigas for the Southern Giant Hummingbird and Patagona peruviana for the Northern Giant Hummingbird. We found that ~33% of specimens (74 of 226) in major museum collections that are labeled peruviana are actually misidentified gigas and we include this full list to correct the historical record. Finally, to facilitate identification and future study of these two cryptic species, we provide comprehensive information on plumage, measurements, and seasonal ranges.
This data deposit contains raw data used in a historical examination of taxonomy and nomenclature of the giant hummingbirds (Patagona spp.) in South America. Published data from Williamson et al. 2024, PNAS (https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2313599121) were analyzed together with new data from vouchered specimens and wild-caught birds in Peru. This work would not have been possible without the support of the following museum collections, to whom we are very grateful: American Museum of Natural History, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Centro de Ornitología y Biodiversidad (CORBIDI), Cornell University Museum of Vertebrates, Field Museum of Natural History, Louisiana State University of Museum of Natural Science, Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Museum of Southwestern Biology, Natural History Museum at Tring, and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Data are linked to vouchered specimens. Specimen records are accessible in the Artcos database (https://www.arctosdb.org) or in specific collections databases, as appropriate.
Datasets
File name: WilliamsonEtAl2025_ZJLS_Patagona_taxonomy_morpho_git.csv
Description: Morphological data used in Williamson et al. 2025, ZJLS, including specimen identifiers, collection localities, and measurements of wing, bill, and tail.
File name: WilliamsonEtAl2025_ZJLS_Hellmayr1932_data.csv
Description: Digitized morphological data published in Hellmayr 1932, Birds of Chile.
File name: WilliamsonEtAl2025_ZJLS_Patagona_specimen_identification.csv
Description: Specimen data, identifiers, and subspecies IDs listed on specimen tags and in databases.
File name: WilliamsonEtAl2025_TableS5_SouthernsMisidentifiedAsPeruviana.csv
Description: Table S5 (also in paper supplement and reproducible from R code on GitHub) with a list of the 74 Southern Giant Hummingbird (Patagona gigas) specimens that are currently listed as "peruviana" (i.e., that are misidentified in museum collections as Northern Giant Hummingbirds.
Metadata
File name: WilliamsonEtAl2025_ZJLS_Patagona_taxonomy_morpho_git_METADATA.csv
Description: The metadata .csv file describes each column and type of data included in the data file, "WilliamsonEtAl2025_ZJLS_Patagona_taxonomy_morpho_git.csv".
File name: WilliamsonEtAl2025_ZJLS_Hellmayr1932_data_METADATA.csv
Description: The metadata .csv file describes each column and type of data included in the data file, "WilliamsonEtAl2025_ZJLS_Hellmayr1932_data.csv".
File name: WilliamsonEtAl2025_ZJLS_Patagona_specimen_identification_METADATA.csv
Description: The metadata .csv file describes each column and type of data included in the data file, "WilliamsonEtAl2025_ZJLS_Patagona_specimen_identification.csv".
File name: WilliamsonEtAl2025_TableS5_SouthernsMisidentifiedAsPeruviana_METADATA.csv
Description: The metadata .csv file describes each column and type of data included in the data file, "WilliamsonEtAl2025_TableS5_SouthernsMisidentifiedAsPeruviana.csv".
Data archiving
Analysis code is available on GitHub: https://github.com/jlwilliamson/Patagona_taxonomy/tree/main. See the GitHub repository README.md file for a description of scripts and code.
Questions? Contact me at jlw432@cornell.edu or jessie.williamson@uwyo.edu.