Glittering-throated Emerald vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Chionomesa fimbriata compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Glittering-throated Emerald | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chionomesa fimbriata | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 4.766666666666667 g (0.17 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore probing tubular flowers in humid forest. Supplements nectar diet with small insects and spiders … | 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
Glittering-throated Emerald only
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Glittering-throated Emerald
Buzzy, high-pitched insect-like trill; sustained rapid vibration with minimal melodic content near blossoms.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Glittering-throated Emerald
Widely distributed from Colombia through Amazonia to Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina. Resident in varied habitats.
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
Glittering-throated Emerald
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Glittering-throated Emerald
Green Coucal: greenish iridescent overall; rufous wings; pale buff below; long graduated tail; red eye; greenish gloss distinctive
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
About These Birds
Glittering-throated Emerald
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) widely distributed from Colombia through Amazonia to Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina. Glittering green throat with white fringes creating a spangled effect. Nectarivore of forest edges, gardens, and open habitats.
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.