Glittering-throated Emerald vs Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Chionomesa fimbriata compared with Archilochus colubris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Glittering-throated Emerald | Ruby-throated Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chionomesa fimbriata | Archilochus colubris |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | 8.5 cm (3.3 in) |
| Wingspan | — | 11.0 cm (4.3 in) |
| Weight | 4.766666666666667 g (0.17 oz) | 3.1 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore probing tubular flowers in humid forest. Supplements nectar diet with small insects and spiders … | Nectar from tubular flowers, supplemented with small insects and spiders for protein. Feeds at over … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Size Comparison
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Glittering-throated Emerald only
Ruby-throated Hummingbird only
None
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Deciduous and mixed forests, woodland edges, gardens, and parks with flowering plants. Migrates across the Gulf of Mexico.
Song & Call Comparison
Glittering-throated Emerald
Buzzy, high-pitched insect-like trill; sustained rapid vibration with minimal melodic content near blossoms.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Soft, high-pitched chattering and twittering 'chee-dit'. Also produces a thin 'tik' call in flight. Wing beats create an audible high-pitched humming buzz during hovering.
Geographic Range & Migration
Glittering-throated Emerald
Widely distributed from Colombia through Amazonia to Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina. Resident in varied habitats.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Eastern North America from southern Canada to the Gulf Coast. Winters in Central America and southern Mexico.
Conservation Status
Glittering-throated Emerald
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
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
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Metallic green upperparts and greyish-white underparts. Males have a brilliant iridescent ruby-red gorget that appears black in poor light. Females lack the gorget.
Long, straight, thin black bill adapted for probing flowers
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.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only breeding hummingbird in eastern North America. These tiny birds beat their wings about 53 times per second and can fly backwards, sideways, and even briefly upside down. They make an extraordinary non-stop 800 km crossing of the Gulf of Mexico during migration.