Golden-bellied Starfrontlet vs Purple-crowned Fairy
Coeligena bonapartei compared with Heliothryx barroti
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Golden-bellied Starfrontlet | Purple-crowned Fairy |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena bonapartei | Heliothryx barroti |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 15.0 cm (5.9 in) | 12.8 cm (5.0 in) |
| Weight | 6.800000000000001 g (0.24 oz) | 5.48 g (0.19 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian and Venezuelan cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and Clusia. Takes small insects … | Nectarivore specializing in high canopy flowers and bromeliads. Pierces flower bases to rob nectar; supplements … |
| 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.
Purple-crowned Fairy
Buzzy, insect-like trill sustained monotonously; continuous high-frequency vibration with little dynamic range throughout.
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.
Purple-crowned Fairy
Found in lowland humid forest from southern Mexico through Central America to western Ecuador and western Colombia. 0–800 m.
Conservation Status
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
Purple-crowned 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
Purple-crowned Fairy
White-tailed Goldenthroat: males with glittering golden-green gorget; metallic green above; white-tipped tail; females green with 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.
Purple-crowned Fairy
A slender, elegant hummingbird (11-13 cm) with a long, deeply forked tail. Green upperparts, purple crown, and immaculate white underparts. Found in humid forests from southern Mexico to western Ecuador. Nectarivore of forest canopy. Named fairy for its delicate, floating flight.