Xantus's Hummingbird vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Basilinna xantusii compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Xantus's Hummingbird | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Basilinna xantusii | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 10.2 cm (4.0 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 3.525 g (0.12 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Endemic to Baja California; feeds on nectar from desert blooms and supplements with small insects … | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Xantus's Hummingbird
High, crystalline twittering with bright silvery quality; rapid light notes cascading freely in aerial display.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Xantus's Hummingbird
Endemic to the cape region of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Resident in dry scrub and thorn forest.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Found in montane forest from Mexico south through Guatemala and Honduras to El Salvador. 1,000–3,200 m.
Conservation Status
Xantus's Hummingbird
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
About These Birds
Xantus's Hummingbird
A medium-sized hummingbird (9-10 cm) endemic to the cape region of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Green plumage with a rufous-chestnut breast and white eye-stripe. Nectarivore of dry scrub and thorn forest. A Baja California endemic named after Hungarian naturalist John Xantus.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
A medium-sized hummingbird (11-12 cm) found in mountain forests from Mexico to Honduras at 1,000-3,000 m. Males have an amethyst-purple throat. Nectarivore of pine-oak and cloud forest. Commonly visits feeders in Mexican highland gardens.