Shining Sunbeam vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Aglaeactis cupripennis compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Shining Sunbeam | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aglaeactis cupripennis | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 16.3 cm (6.4 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 7.540000000000001 g (0.27 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean páramo and puna; visits Chuquiraga, Puya, and Ericaceae flowers. Catches small … | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Shining Sunbeam
Soft, sibilant twittering with silvery quality; high, airy notes cascading gently near high-altitude Polylepis flowers.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Shining Sunbeam
Widespread in Andean cloud forests and shrubby páramo from Colombia south through Ecuador and Peru to Bolivia. 2,000–4,300 m.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Found in montane forest from Mexico south through Guatemala and Honduras to El Salvador. 1,000–3,200 m.
Conservation Status
Shining Sunbeam
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Shining Sunbeam
Colorful Puffleg: males with brilliant multicolored gorget; metallic green above; white belly; females green above; spotted below
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
About These Birds
Shining Sunbeam
A medium-sized hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Colombia to Bolivia at 2,500-3,800 m. Coppery-bronze plumage that shines with iridescent sunbeam-like reflections. Nectarivore of montane forest edges and páramo shrubs.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
A medium-sized hummingbird (11-12 cm) found in mountain forests from Mexico to Honduras at 1,000-3,000 m. Males have an amethyst-purple throat. Nectarivore of pine-oak and cloud forest. Commonly visits feeders in Mexican highland gardens.