Rufous-breasted Sabrewing vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Campylopterus hyperythrus compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Rufous-breasted Sabrewing | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Campylopterus hyperythrus | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 12.6 cm (5.0 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 6.016666666666667 g (0.21 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of tepui cloud forest; feeds at bromeliads and flowering trees. Supplements with insects and … | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Rufous-breasted Sabrewing only
None
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Rufous-breasted Sabrewing
Melodic, ascending scale of clear notes; bright flute-like tones climbing smoothly in pleasant morning song.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Rufous-breasted Sabrewing
Found in montane forests from Venezuela to Bolivia at 1,000-2,500 m elevation. Resident in Andean cloud 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
Rufous-breasted Sabrewing
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Rufous-breasted Sabrewing
Violaceous Turaco: brilliant violet-purple body; crimson flight feathers; white and red orbital markings; striking contrast plumage
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
About These Birds
Rufous-breasted Sabrewing
A large hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in montane forests from Venezuela to Bolivia at 1,000-2,500 m. Green plumage with a rufous breast. Thickened outer primaries. Nectarivore of cloud forest undergrowth, visiting Heliconia flowers.
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.