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

Song

Melodic, ascending scale of clear notes; bright flute-like tones climbing smoothly in pleasant morning song.

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem

Song

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

Least Concern

Rufous-breasted Sabrewing

Least Concern

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem

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.

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