Golden-bellied Starfrontlet vs Lesser Violetear
Coeligena bonapartei compared with Colibri cyanotus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Golden-bellied Starfrontlet | Lesser Violetear |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena bonapartei | Colibri cyanotus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 15.0 cm (5.9 in) | — |
| Weight | 6.800000000000001 g (0.24 oz) | 4.866666666666667 g (0.17 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian and Venezuelan cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and Clusia. Takes small insects … | Nectarivore highly adaptable to disturbed habitats; visits Lantana, Salvia, and Ericaceae flowers. Supplements with small … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
High, crystalline twittering with silvery sheen; rapid light notes cascading brightly in active display sequences.
Lesser Violetear
Rapid, light chips in cheerful sequence; bright staccato notes with buoyant quality delivered during active foraging.
Geographic Range & Migration
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
Found in cloud forest of the eastern Andes of Colombia and western Venezuela at 1,800–2,800 m.
Lesser Violetear
Found in Andean highlands from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 1,000–2,800 m elevation.
Conservation Status
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
Lesser Violetear
How to Tell Them Apart
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
Green-headed Hillstar: males with glittering green head; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted buff below
Lesser Violetear
Violet-headed Hummingbird: violet-blue gorget and head; metallic green above; white belly; cinnamon flanks; females duller with spotted throat
About These Birds
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
A medium-sized hummingbird (13-14 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Colombia at 1,800-3,200 m. Males have a golden-yellow belly and iridescent green forehead. Nectarivore of montane forest and forest edges.
Lesser Violetear
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) with bright green plumage and violet-blue ear patches. Found in Andean highlands from Costa Rica to Bolivia at 1,200-3,000 m. Nectarivore of cloud forest edges and gardens. Recently split from Green Violetear; range extends south of Panama.