Honduran Emerald vs Sword-billed Hummingbird
Amazilia luciae compared with Ensifera ensifera
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Honduran Emerald | Sword-billed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Amazilia luciae | Ensifera ensifera |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 10.9 cm (4.3 in) | 15.3 cm (6.0 in) |
| Weight | 4.5 g (0.16 oz) | 12.75 g (0.45 oz) |
| Diet | Honduran endemic nectarivore of dry-forest flowers; supplements diet with insects and spiders. | Nectarivore uniquely adapted to extremely long flowers of Passiflora and Datura. Supplements with small insects … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Honduran Emerald
Melodic, descending four-note phrase; clear flute-like tones stepping downward smoothly in relaxed morning progression.
Sword-billed Hummingbird
Thin, reedy whistle with plaintive character; soft nasal tone held briefly then gently fading in mist.
Geographic Range & Migration
Honduran Emerald
Endemic to the interior highlands of Honduras. Classified as Endangered. Honduras's only endemic hummingbird.
Sword-billed Hummingbird
Found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 1,700–3,500 m.
Conservation Status
Honduran Emerald
Sword-billed Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Honduran Emerald
Short-toed Coucal (Philippine): shorter tail; dark brown above; rufous wings; buff below; dark streaks; red eye; Philippine endemic
Sword-billed Hummingbird
Olivaceous Thornbill: males with iridescent purple gorget; metallic olive-bronze above; white underparts; females green above; spots
About These Birds
Honduran Emerald
A medium-sized hummingbird (9-10 cm) endemic to the interior highlands of Honduras. Turquoise-green plumage. Nectarivore of dry thorn forest and scrub. Classified as Endangered due to extremely small range and ongoing habitat loss. Honduras's only endemic hummingbird.
Sword-billed Hummingbird
A remarkable hummingbird (14-15 cm body) with a bill as long as its body (8-10 cm), the longest bill relative to body size of any bird. Found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Bolivia at 1,700-3,500 m. The extraordinarily long bill evolved to feed on deep tubular Passiflora flowers.