Golden-bellied Starfrontlet vs Empress Brilliant
Coeligena bonapartei compared with Heliodoxa imperatrix
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Golden-bellied Starfrontlet | Empress Brilliant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena bonapartei | Heliodoxa imperatrix |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 15.0 cm (5.9 in) | 14.6 cm (5.7 in) |
| Weight | 6.800000000000001 g (0.24 oz) | 8.8 g (0.31 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian and Venezuelan cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and Clusia. Takes small insects … | Nectarivore of Colombian Pacific slope cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and Heliconia. Supplements with small … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 1 |
| 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.
Empress Brilliant
High, crystalline series of musical notes; clear bright sequence ascending smoothly in characteristically cheerful manner.
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.
Empress Brilliant
Found on the Pacific slope of Colombia and Ecuador in humid lowland and foothill forest. Sea level to 1,200 m.
Conservation Status
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
Empress Brilliant
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
Empress Brilliant
Purple-collared Woodstar (alt): tiny; males with brilliant blue-violet gorget; metallic green above; females plain; pale spotted below
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.
Empress Brilliant
A large hummingbird (13-14 cm) found in humid forests of western Colombia and Ecuador at 400-1,600 m. Males have an iridescent green crown and violet-blue throat. Nectarivore of Chocó forest. Named Empress for the regal appearance. Classified as Near Threatened.