Golden-bellied Starfrontlet vs Black-eared Fairy
Coeligena bonapartei compared with Heliothryx auritus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Golden-bellied Starfrontlet | Black-eared Fairy |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena bonapartei | Heliothryx auritus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 15.0 cm (5.9 in) | 13.0 cm (5.1 in) |
| Weight | 6.800000000000001 g (0.24 oz) | 5.15 g (0.18 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian and Venezuelan cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and Clusia. Takes small insects … | Nectarivore robbing nectar from large flowers in forest canopy. Gleans small spiders and soft-bodied insects … |
| 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.
Black-eared Fairy
Soft, liquid notes in gentle cascade; flowing sequence of mellow tones with subtle tremolo in misty montane forest.
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.
Black-eared Fairy
Widespread in Amazonian lowlands from the Guianas south through Brazil and west to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 0–700 m.
Conservation Status
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
Black-eared Fairy
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
Black-eared Fairy
Blue-chinned Sapphire: males with shining blue chin; metallic green above; white pectoral tufts; females green above with blue-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.
Black-eared Fairy
A slender, elegant hummingbird (11-12 cm) with a long, forked tail, glittering green plumage, and bold black ear patches. Found in humid lowland forests from eastern Colombia and Venezuela through Amazonia to Bolivia and Brazil. Nectarivore of forest canopy. Named for its graceful flight.