Black-hooded Sunbeam vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Aglaeactis pamela compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-hooded Sunbeam | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aglaeactis pamela | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.6 cm (5.4 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 5.5 g (0.19 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Bolivian high-altitude scrub; forages at Chuquiraga and Ericaceae. Catches small insects opportunistically. | 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
Black-hooded Sunbeam
Deep, resonant churring with hollow quality; prolonged low buzzing trill carrying well through Andean scrub habitat.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Black-hooded Sunbeam
Endemic to Bolivia in high Andean puna of Cochabamba and La Paz at 3,200–4,600 m elevation.
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
Black-hooded Sunbeam
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Black-hooded Sunbeam
Hoary Puffleg: males with brilliant white pufflegs; glittering violet gorget; metallic green above; 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
Black-hooded Sunbeam
A medium-sized hummingbird (12-13 cm) endemic to the Andes of Bolivia at 2,500-3,500 m. Males have a distinctive black hood contrasting with iridescent coppery body. Nectarivore of montane cloud forest edges and scrub. A Bolivian endemic.
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.