Rufous-shafted Woodstar vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Chaetocercus jourdanii compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Rufous-shafted Woodstar | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chaetocercus jourdanii | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 7.0 cm (2.8 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 3.26 g (0.11 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Trinidad and northern South America, hovering at bromeliads and Heliconia. Supplements diet with … | 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
Rufous-shafted Woodstar
Deep, resonant single note with striking boldness; powerful tone ringing out clearly from exposed prominent perch.
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-shafted Woodstar
Found in Andean highlands from Venezuela to Trinidad at 500-2,500 m elevation. Resident in montane forest edges and gardens.
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-shafted Woodstar
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Rufous-shafted Woodstar
Calliope Hummingbird (endemic): tiny; males with glittering magenta gorget; metallic green above; females plain green above; spotted
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-shafted Woodstar
A tiny hummingbird (7-8 cm) found in Andean highlands from Venezuela to Trinidad at 500-2,500 m. Males have rufous wing-shafts visible in flight and a purple gorget. Nectarivore of forest edges, gardens, and open country. Named after its rufous wing feather shafts.
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.