Costa's Hummingbird vs Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
Calypte costae compared with Coeligena bonapartei
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Costa's Hummingbird | Golden-bellied Starfrontlet |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Calypte costae | Coeligena bonapartei |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 8.9 cm (3.5 in) | 15.0 cm (5.9 in) |
| Weight | 3.4000000000000004 g (0.12 oz) | 6.800000000000001 g (0.24 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mojave Desert scrub, favouring desert lavender and sage. Supplements nectar with insects and … | Nectarivore of Colombian and Venezuelan cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and Clusia. Takes small insects … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Costa's Hummingbird only
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet only
Song & Call Comparison
Costa's Hummingbird
Melodic, flute-like ascending scale; smooth bright notes climbing steadily in cheerful morning territorial delivery.
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
High, crystalline twittering with silvery sheen; rapid light notes cascading brightly in active display sequences.
Geographic Range & Migration
Costa's Hummingbird
Found in arid western North America from California to Mexico. Breeds in desert scrub; some populations resident year-round.
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
Found in cloud forest of the eastern Andes of Colombia and western Venezuela at 1,800–2,800 m.
Conservation Status
Costa's Hummingbird
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
How to Tell Them Apart
Costa's Hummingbird
Crowned Woodnymph: males with brilliant iridescent violet crown; glittering green gorget; metallic green above; females green; spotted
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
Green-headed Hillstar: males with glittering green head; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted buff below
About These Birds
Costa's Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) of arid western North America from California to Mexico. Males have a brilliant iridescent purple crown and gorget that extends along the sides of the neck. Nectarivore of desert scrub and gardens. Thrives in extreme desert heat.
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
A medium-sized hummingbird (13-14 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Colombia at 1,800-3,200 m. Males have a golden-yellow belly and iridescent green forehead. Nectarivore of montane forest and forest edges.