Western Emerald vs Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus compared with Nesophlox lyrura
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Western Emerald | Lyre-tailed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chlorostilbon melanorhynchus | Nesophlox lyrura |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 8.0 cm (3.1 in) |
| Weight | 2.675 g (0.09 oz) | 2.425 g (0.09 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of western Colombian and Ecuadorian forest. Supplements diet with small arthropods caught near blossoms. | Nectarivore probing tubular flowers in humid forest. Supplements nectar diet with small insects and spiders … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Western Emerald
Melodic, ascending phrase with hopeful character; smooth pure tones rising in clear musical progression at dawn.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Sharp, emphatic chip note with metallic quality; single clean staccato sound repeated at measured intervals.
Geographic Range & Migration
Western Emerald
Found from Panama to Peru along the western Andean foothills. Resident in forest edges and gardens at low to mid elevations.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Endemic to Jamaica. Resident in forests and gardens across the island from lowlands to highlands.
Conservation Status
Western Emerald
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Western Emerald
White-chested Emerald: males with iridescent green gorget; metallic green above; white chest; females green above; spotted white below
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Mexican Woodnymph: males with glittering violet gorget; metallic green above; white flanks; females green above; spotted white below
About These Birds
Western Emerald
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) found from Panama to Peru in western Andean foothills. Bright emerald-green plumage with dark tail. Nectarivore of forest edges and gardens. Closely related to other Chlorostilbon emeralds. A Chocó and western Andean species.
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.