Golden-bellied Starfrontlet vs Green Violetear
Coeligena bonapartei compared with Colibri thalassinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Golden-bellied Starfrontlet | Green Violetear |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena bonapartei | Colibri thalassinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 15.0 cm (5.9 in) | 12.5 cm (4.9 in) |
| Weight | 6.800000000000001 g (0.24 oz) | 5.092499999999999 g (0.18 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian and Venezuelan cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and Clusia. Takes small insects … | Nectarivore of montane gardens and cloud-forest borders. Takes small insects in aerial sallies from prominent … |
| 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.
Green Violetear
Melodic, descending four-note phrase; clear flute-like tones stepping down smoothly, characteristic of violetear territory song.
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.
Green Violetear
Found in highlands from central Mexico south through Central America to western Bolivia. Common in montane forest at 1,000–3,000 m.
Conservation Status
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
Green 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
Green Violetear
Short-tailed Emerald: iridescent green above with coppery rump; white underparts; rufous flanks; sexually dimorphic; straight short bill
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.
Green Violetear
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-12 cm) with brilliant green plumage and iridescent violet-blue ear patches. Found in highlands from Mexico to Nicaragua at 1,000-3,500 m. Nectarivore of mountain forests, gardens, and cloud forest edges. Common and conspicuous. Formerly included Lesser Violetear.