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
Sharp, emphatic two-note call; first note high and accented, second softer and brief, delivered at measured pace.
Amazilia Hummingbird
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
Violet-tailed Sylph
Amazilia Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Violet-tailed Sylph
Allen's Hummingbird: males with brilliant copper-orange back; glittering red-orange gorget; green crown; females green above with rufous
Amazilia Hummingbird
Coucal (Celebes): dark glossy black above; rufous wings; pale buff below; long dark tail; red eye; Sulawesi island endemic coucal
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.