Golden-bellied Starfrontlet vs Purple-throated Mountain-gem
Coeligena bonapartei compared with Lampornis calolaemus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Golden-bellied Starfrontlet | Purple-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena bonapartei | Lampornis calolaemus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 15.0 cm (5.9 in) | 12.5 cm (4.9 in) |
| Weight | 6.800000000000001 g (0.24 oz) | 5.625 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian and Venezuelan cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and Clusia. Takes small insects … | Nectarivore of Costa Rican highlands; visits Ericaceae and Fuchsia blooms. Catches small insects near flowering … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet only
None
Purple-throated Mountain-gem only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
High, crystalline twittering with silvery sheen; rapid light notes cascading brightly in active display sequences.
Purple-throated Mountain-gem
Melodic, rolling phrase with rich warm timbre; bubbly musical notes tumbling pleasantly in relaxed sequence.
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-throated Mountain-gem
Found in highland forest from Costa Rica and Nicaragua to Guatemala and Honduras. 600–2,400 m.
Conservation Status
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
Purple-throated Mountain-gem
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-throated Mountain-gem
Broad-tailed Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white flanks; females plain green; spots
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-throated Mountain-gem
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in cloud forests of Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and western Panama at 800-2,000 m. Males have a brilliant purple throat. Nectarivore of cloud forest and forest edges. Common at highland feeders in Costa Rica.