Blue-tailed Emerald vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Chlorostilbon mellisugus compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Blue-tailed Emerald | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chlorostilbon mellisugus | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 9.0 cm (3.5 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 2.6466666666666665 g (0.09 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore visiting diverse flowering plants; supplements the high-sugar 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
Song & Call Comparison
Blue-tailed Emerald
Pure, flute-like descending scale; smooth melodic phrase moving cleanly through several notes, warm in timbre.
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-tailed Emerald
Widely distributed from Colombia and Venezuela through the Guianas to Trinidad and Tobago. Resident in varied lowland 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
Blue-tailed Emerald
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
About These Birds
Blue-tailed Emerald
A small hummingbird (7-8 cm) widely distributed from Colombia and Venezuela through the Guianas to Trinidad and Tobago. Bright green plumage with a blue tail. Nectarivore of forest edges, gardens, and open habitats. One of the most common emeralds in northern South America.
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.