Narrow-tailed Emerald vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Chlorostilbon stenurus compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Narrow-tailed Emerald | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chlorostilbon stenurus | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 8.4 cm (3.3 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 3.4000000000000004 g (0.12 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on floral nectar at forest edges in northwestern South America. Supplements diet with small … | 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
Narrow-tailed Emerald
Melodic, two-note ascending whistle; pure tones stepping upward clearly, given repeatedly near territory boundary.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Narrow-tailed Emerald
Found in Andean highlands from Venezuela to Peru at 800-2,500 m elevation. Resident in montane forest edges.
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
Narrow-tailed Emerald
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Narrow-tailed Emerald
White-chinned Sapphire (alt): males with glittering blue gorget; metallic green above; white chin; females green above; spotted below
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
About These Birds
Narrow-tailed Emerald
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) found in Andean highlands from Venezuela to Peru at 800-2,500 m. Green plumage with a narrow, slightly forked tail. Nectarivore of forest edges and gardens. Named for its distinctively narrow tail feathers.
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.