Blue-mantled Thornbill vs Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Chalcostigma stanleyi compared with Nesophlox lyrura
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Blue-mantled Thornbill | Lyre-tailed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chalcostigma stanleyi | Nesophlox lyrura |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.2 cm (5.2 in) | 8.0 cm (3.1 in) |
| Weight | 5.2749999999999995 g (0.19 oz) | 2.425 g (0.09 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Andean treeline scrub; visits Ericaceae and Brachyotum blooms. Supplements with small arthropods. | Nectarivore probing tubular flowers in humid forest. Supplements nectar diet with small insects and spiders … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Blue-mantled Thornbill
Crisp, whistled notes in ascending sequence; clean bright tones stepping up smoothly in cheerful morning delivery.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Sharp, emphatic chip note with metallic quality; single clean staccato sound repeated at measured intervals.
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.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Endemic to Jamaica. Resident in forests and gardens across the island from lowlands to highlands.
Conservation Status
Blue-mantled Thornbill
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
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
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Mexican Woodnymph: males with glittering violet gorget; metallic green above; white flanks; females green above; spotted white below
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.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) endemic to Jamaica. Males have a deeply forked, lyre-shaped tail. Green plumage. Nectarivore of forest and garden flowers. Recently split from Bahama Woodstar. A Jamaican near-endemic.