Rainbow-bearded Thornbill vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Chalcostigma herrani compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Rainbow-bearded Thornbill | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chalcostigma herrani | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.5 cm (5.3 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 6.183333333333334 g (0.22 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian and Venezuelan montane scrub; visits diverse small flowers. Supplements with small insects. | 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
None
Rainbow-bearded Thornbill only
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
Song & Call Comparison
Rainbow-bearded Thornbill
Thin, reedy trill with wavering quality; soft rapid notes with gentle tremolo effect, given from dense cover.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Rainbow-bearded Thornbill
Found in high Andean páramo and shrubby forest edge from Colombia south to Ecuador and Peru. 2,600–4,400 m.
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
Rainbow-bearded Thornbill
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
About These Birds
Rainbow-bearded Thornbill
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in Andean páramo from Colombia to Ecuador at 2,800-4,000 m. Males have a spectacular rainbow-colored beard of iridescent feathers ranging from green through gold to purple. Nectarivore of páramo flowering shrubs.
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.