Golden-bellied Starfrontlet vs Wire-crested Thorntail
Coeligena bonapartei compared with Discosura popelairii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Golden-bellied Starfrontlet | Wire-crested Thorntail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena bonapartei | Discosura popelairii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 15.0 cm (5.9 in) | 6.6 cm (2.6 in) |
| Weight | 6.800000000000001 g (0.24 oz) | 2.5 g (0.09 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian and Venezuelan cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and Clusia. Takes small insects … | Nectarivore of lowland tropical forest; forages high in canopy at flowering bromeliads and epiphytes. Supplements … |
| Clutch Size | 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.
Wire-crested Thorntail
Rapid, light twittering with crystalline quality; bright airy notes cascading freely in animated display above canopy.
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.
Wire-crested Thorntail
Found on the eastern Andean slope in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and far western Brazil. 200–1,400 m elevation.
Conservation Status
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
Wire-crested Thorntail
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
Wire-crested Thorntail
Bronze-tailed Comet: males with brilliant coppery-orange crown; glittering teal gorget; metallic green back; bronze tail; females duller
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.
Wire-crested Thorntail
A tiny hummingbird (7-8 cm plus extended tail wires in males, total 12-13 cm). Males have a spectacular erect green crest and long, wire-like outer tail feathers. Found in Andean foothill forests from Colombia to Peru. Nectarivore. One of the most ornate hummingbirds.