Speckled Hummingbird vs Sword-billed Hummingbird
Adelomyia melanogenys compared with Ensifera ensifera
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Speckled Hummingbird | Sword-billed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Adelomyia melanogenys | Ensifera ensifera |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 10.6 cm (4.2 in) | 15.3 cm (6.0 in) |
| Weight | 4.300000000000001 g (0.15 oz) | 12.75 g (0.45 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore visiting a broad range of Andean montane flowers including Ericaceae and Bromeliaceae. Gleans small … | Nectarivore uniquely adapted to extremely long flowers of Passiflora and Datura. Supplements with small insects … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Speckled Hummingbird
Thin, sibilant trill with airy quality; soft high buzzing sustained gently during slow courtship hovering display.
Sword-billed Hummingbird
Thin, reedy whistle with plaintive character; soft nasal tone held briefly then gently fading in mist.
Geographic Range & Migration
Speckled Hummingbird
Widespread in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 1,200–3,200 m.
Sword-billed Hummingbird
Found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 1,700–3,500 m.
Conservation Status
Speckled Hummingbird
Sword-billed Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Speckled Hummingbird
Ruby-throated Hummingbird: males with iridescent ruby-red gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above with spots
Sword-billed Hummingbird
Olivaceous Thornbill: males with iridescent purple gorget; metallic olive-bronze above; white underparts; females green above; spots
About These Birds
Speckled Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) widely distributed in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Argentina at 1,000-3,000 m. Green plumage speckled with buff spots on the breast. Nectarivore of montane forest undergrowth and edges. One of the most widespread Andean hummingbirds.
Sword-billed Hummingbird
A remarkable hummingbird (14-15 cm body) with a bill as long as its body (8-10 cm), the longest bill relative to body size of any bird. Found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Bolivia at 1,700-3,500 m. The extraordinarily long bill evolved to feed on deep tubular Passiflora flowers.