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
Crisp, whistled notes in ascending sequence; clean bright tones stepping up smoothly in cheerful morning delivery.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
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
Blue-mantled Thornbill
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Blue-mantled Thornbill
Long-billed Starthroat: males glittering blue-green gorget; metallic green above; long bill; white pectoral tufts; females green with spots
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
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.