Blue-mantled Thornbill vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem

Chalcostigma stanleyi compared with Lampornis amethystinus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Blue-mantled Thornbill Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Scientific Name Chalcostigma stanleyi Lampornis amethystinus
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Trochilidae Trochilidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 13.2 cm (5.2 in) 13.1 cm (5.2 in)
Weight 5.2749999999999995 g (0.19 oz) 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz)
Diet Nectarivore of Andean treeline scrub; visits Ericaceae and Brachyotum blooms. Supplements with small arthropods. 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

Blue-mantled Thornbill only

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only

Song & Call Comparison

Blue-mantled Thornbill

Song

Crisp, whistled notes in ascending sequence; clean bright tones stepping up smoothly in cheerful morning delivery.

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

Blue-mantled Thornbill

Found in high Andean páramo from Colombia south through Ecuador and Peru to Bolivia. 3,000–4,500 m elevation.

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

Blue-mantled Thornbill

Least Concern

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem

About These Birds

Blue-mantled Thornbill

A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in Andean páramo from Colombia to Bolivia at 3,500-4,800 m. Males have a blue-violet mantle and short bill. Nectarivore of high-altitude Chuquiraga and Puya flowers. Enters torpor nightly. One of the highest-living hummingbirds.

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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