Amazilia Hummingbird vs Empress Brilliant
Amazilis amazilia compared with Heliodoxa imperatrix
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amazilia Hummingbird | Empress Brilliant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Amazilis amazilia | Heliodoxa imperatrix |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 14.6 cm (5.7 in) |
| Weight | 5.066666666666666 g (0.18 oz) | 8.8 g (0.31 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on nectar from flowering shrubs and epiphytes. Catches small insects and spiders to meet … | Nectarivore of Colombian Pacific slope cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and Heliconia. Supplements with small … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 1 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Amazilia Hummingbird
Buzzy, high-pitched trill with insect-like quality; rapid sustained vibration barely distinguishable from insects.
Empress Brilliant
High, crystalline series of musical notes; clear bright sequence ascending smoothly in characteristically cheerful manner.
Geographic Range & Migration
Amazilia Hummingbird
Found in arid coastal lowlands of western Peru and Ecuador. Resident in desert scrub and river valleys.
Empress Brilliant
Found on the Pacific slope of Colombia and Ecuador in humid lowland and foothill forest. Sea level to 1,200 m.
Conservation Status
Amazilia Hummingbird
Empress Brilliant
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
Empress Brilliant
Purple-collared Woodstar (alt): tiny; males with brilliant blue-violet gorget; metallic green above; females plain; pale spotted below
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.
Empress Brilliant
A large hummingbird (13-14 cm) found in humid forests of western Colombia and Ecuador at 400-1,600 m. Males have an iridescent green crown and violet-blue throat. Nectarivore of Chocó forest. Named Empress for the regal appearance. Classified as Near Threatened.