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

Shared Habitats

Rufous-shafted Woodstar only

None

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Rufous-shafted Woodstar

Song

Deep, resonant single note with striking boldness; powerful tone ringing out clearly from exposed prominent perch.

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-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

Least Concern

Rufous-shafted Woodstar

Least Concern

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem

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.

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