Golden-bellied Starfrontlet vs Glowing Puffleg
Coeligena bonapartei compared with Eriocnemis vestita
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Golden-bellied Starfrontlet | Glowing Puffleg |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena bonapartei | Eriocnemis vestita |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 15.0 cm (5.9 in) | 11.7 cm (4.6 in) |
| Weight | 6.800000000000001 g (0.24 oz) | 4.716666666666666 g (0.17 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian and Venezuelan cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and Clusia. Takes small insects … | Nectarivore of Colombian and Ecuadorian Ericaceae-rich shrublands. Supplements nectar with small arthropods near blooms. |
| 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.
Glowing Puffleg
High, thin chip note with sibilant ending; soft twittering sequence given quietly during foraging near Andean flowers.
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.
Glowing Puffleg
Widespread in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 1,800–3,400 m.
Conservation Status
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
Glowing Puffleg
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
Glowing Puffleg
Pink-throated Brilliant: males with iridescent blue-violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
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.
Glowing Puffleg
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Peru at 2,400-3,500 m. Bright green plumage with conspicuous white leg puffs. Nectarivore of montane forest and gardens. One of the most common and widespread puffleg species.