Tolima Blossomcrown vs Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Anthocephala berlepschi compared with Archilochus colubris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Tolima Blossomcrown | Ruby-throated Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anthocephala berlepschi | Archilochus colubris |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 8.5 cm (3.3 in) |
| Wingspan | 10.3 cm (4.1 in) | 11.0 cm (4.3 in) |
| Weight | 3.45 g (0.12 oz) | 3.1 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on nectar from Andean flowers in Colombia; supplements with insects and spiders foraged near … | Nectar from tubular flowers, supplemented with small insects and spiders for protein. Feeds at over … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Deciduous and mixed forests, woodland edges, gardens, and parks with flowering plants. Migrates across the Gulf of Mexico.
Song & Call Comparison
Tolima Blossomcrown
Sharp, emphatic rattle with percussive onset; rapid dry notes erupting suddenly in brief forceful burst.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Soft, high-pitched chattering and twittering 'chee-dit'. Also produces a thin 'tik' call in flight. Wing beats create an audible high-pitched humming buzz during hovering.
Geographic Range & Migration
Tolima Blossomcrown
Endemic to the Central Andes of Colombia at 1,600-2,400 m. Classified as Critically Endangered due to tiny range.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Eastern North America from southern Canada to the Gulf Coast. Winters in Central America and southern Mexico.
Conservation Status
Tolima Blossomcrown
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Tolima Blossomcrown
Yellow-billed Turaco: glossy dark green; brilliant white-spotted crest; yellow bill; red orbital ring; crimson flight feathers
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Metallic green upperparts and greyish-white underparts. Males have a brilliant iridescent ruby-red gorget that appears black in poor light. Females lack the gorget.
Long, straight, thin black bill adapted for probing flowers
About These Birds
Tolima Blossomcrown
A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) endemic to the Central Andes of Colombia at 1,600-2,400 m. Males have a rufous crown. Nectarivore of cloud forest and forest edges. Recently split from Santa Marta Blossomcrown. Classified as Critically Endangered.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only breeding hummingbird in eastern North America. These tiny birds beat their wings about 53 times per second and can fly backwards, sideways, and even briefly upside down. They make an extraordinary non-stop 800 km crossing of the Gulf of Mexico during migration.