Violet-tailed Sylph vs Amazilia Hummingbird

Aglaiocercus coelestis compared with Amazilis amazilia

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Violet-tailed Sylph Amazilia Hummingbird
Scientific Name Aglaiocercus coelestis Amazilis amazilia
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Trochilidae Trochilidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 12.4 cm (4.9 in) —
Weight 5.483333333333334 g (0.19 oz) 5.066666666666666 g (0.18 oz)
Diet Nectarivore with elongated tail foraging at diverse montane flowers. Catches small arthropods near flowering bromeliads. Feeds on nectar from flowering shrubs and epiphytes. Catches small insects and spiders to meet …
Clutch Size 2 2
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Violet-tailed Sylph only

None

Amazilia Hummingbird only

Song & Call Comparison

Violet-tailed Sylph

Song

Sharp, emphatic two-note call; first note high and accented, second softer and brief, delivered at measured pace.

Amazilia Hummingbird

Song

Buzzy, high-pitched trill with insect-like quality; rapid sustained vibration barely distinguishable from insects.

Geographic Range & Migration

Violet-tailed Sylph

Found on the western Andean slope and Pacific foothills of Colombia and Ecuador in humid forest. 300–1,600 m.

Amazilia Hummingbird

Found in arid coastal lowlands of western Peru and Ecuador. Resident in desert scrub and river valleys.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Violet-tailed Sylph

Least Concern

Amazilia Hummingbird

About These Birds

Violet-tailed Sylph

A spectacular hummingbird (10 cm body + 13 cm tail in males) endemic to the western Andes of Colombia and Ecuador at 1,000-2,500 m. Males have dazzling violet-blue outer tail streamers. Nectarivore of cloud forest and forest edges. Replaced by Long-tailed Sylph east of the Andes.

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.

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