Amazilia Hummingbird vs Lesser Violetear
Amazilis amazilia compared with Colibri cyanotus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amazilia Hummingbird | Lesser Violetear |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Amazilis amazilia | Colibri cyanotus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | — |
| Weight | 5.066666666666666 g (0.18 oz) | 4.866666666666667 g (0.17 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on nectar from flowering shrubs and epiphytes. Catches small insects and spiders to meet … | Nectarivore highly adaptable to disturbed habitats; visits Lantana, Salvia, and Ericaceae flowers. Supplements with small … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Amazilia Hummingbird only
Lesser Violetear only
Song & Call Comparison
Amazilia Hummingbird
Buzzy, high-pitched trill with insect-like quality; rapid sustained vibration barely distinguishable from insects.
Lesser Violetear
Rapid, light chips in cheerful sequence; bright staccato notes with buoyant quality delivered during active foraging.
Geographic Range & Migration
Amazilia Hummingbird
Found in arid coastal lowlands of western Peru and Ecuador. Resident in desert scrub and river valleys.
Lesser Violetear
Found in Andean highlands from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 1,000–2,800 m elevation.
Conservation Status
Amazilia Hummingbird
Lesser Violetear
How to Tell Them Apart
Amazilia Hummingbird
Coucal (Celebes): dark glossy black above; rufous wings; pale buff below; long dark tail; red eye; Sulawesi island endemic coucal
Lesser Violetear
Violet-headed Hummingbird: violet-blue gorget and head; metallic green above; white belly; cinnamon flanks; females duller with spotted throat
About These Birds
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.
Lesser Violetear
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) with bright green plumage and violet-blue ear patches. Found in Andean highlands from Costa Rica to Bolivia at 1,200-3,000 m. Nectarivore of cloud forest edges and gardens. Recently split from Green Violetear; range extends south of Panama.