Purple-backed Sunbeam vs Amazilia Hummingbird
Aglaeactis aliciae compared with Amazilis amazilia
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-backed Sunbeam | Amazilia Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aglaeactis aliciae | Amazilis amazilia |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 16.2 cm (6.4 in) | — |
| Weight | 7.4 g (0.26 oz) | 5.066666666666666 g (0.18 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of restricted Peruvian high puna; visits Chuquiraga and cushion-plant flowers. Gleans tiny arthropods. | Feeds on nectar from flowering shrubs and epiphytes. Catches small insects and spiders to meet … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Purple-backed Sunbeam only
None
Amazilia Hummingbird only
Song & Call Comparison
Purple-backed Sunbeam
Sharp, buzzy chip followed by rapid trill; emphatic onset launching into rough cascading notes typical of sunbeam.
Amazilia Hummingbird
Buzzy, high-pitched trill with insect-like quality; rapid sustained vibration barely distinguishable from insects.
Geographic Range & Migration
Purple-backed Sunbeam
Endemic to Peru along the Río Marañón drainage in the arid upper Andes. 2,400–3,800 m. Critically endangered.
Amazilia Hummingbird
Found in arid coastal lowlands of western Peru and Ecuador. Resident in desert scrub and river valleys.
Conservation Status
Purple-backed Sunbeam
Amazilia Hummingbird
About These Birds
Purple-backed Sunbeam
A medium-sized hummingbird (12-13 cm) endemic to a small area in the Andes of northern Peru at 2,900-3,500 m. Purple-backed with buff underparts. Nectarivore of montane scrub. Classified as Endangered due to extremely restricted range. One of Peru's rarest hummingbirds.
Amazilia Hummingbird
A medium-sized hummingbird (9-10 cm) found in arid coastal lowlands of western Peru and Ecuador. Green plumage with variable rusty-orange underparts. Nectarivore of desert scrub, gardens, and river valleys. Adapted to arid Pacific environments.