Ruby-topaz Hummingbird vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Chrysolampis mosquitus compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Ruby-topaz Hummingbird | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysolampis mosquitus | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 10.8 cm (4.3 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 3.75 g (0.13 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of savanna, garden, and scrub flowers in open lowlands. Catches small insects in brief … | 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
None
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird only
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
Song & Call Comparison
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird
Soft, melodic warbling with lilting rhythm; gentle notes rising and falling in unhurried phrases through shaded thicket.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird
Found from Trinidad and Venezuela through the Guianas and Amazonian Brazil to Colombia. Prefers dry open woodland. 0–1,000 m.
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
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird
Glittering-bellied Emerald: shining bronze-green above; glittering violet-purple gorget; white underparts; females green above with spotted throat
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
About These Birds
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird
A small, brilliantly colored hummingbird (8-9 cm). Males have a glittering ruby-red crown and golden-orange throat and breast, among the most vivid colors of any hummingbird. Found from Central America to Brazil and Trinidad. Nectarivore of open country, gardens, and forest edges.
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.