Golden-bellied Starfrontlet vs Bee Hummingbird
Coeligena bonapartei compared with Mellisuga helenae
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Golden-bellied Starfrontlet | Bee Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena bonapartei | Mellisuga helenae |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 15.0 cm (5.9 in) | 5.6 cm (2.2 in) |
| Weight | 6.800000000000001 g (0.24 oz) | 2.1 g (0.07 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian and Venezuelan cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and Clusia. Takes small insects … | World's smallest bird; feeds on nectar from tiny Cuban flowers and catches minuscule spiders and … |
| 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.
Bee Hummingbird
Pure, bell-like descending phrase; clear resonant tones stepping smoothly down in musical sequence at dusk.
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.
Bee Hummingbird
Endemic to Cuba. Found across the island in forests, gardens, and coastal vegetation from sea level to moderate elevations.
Conservation Status
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
Bee Hummingbird
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
Bee Hummingbird
Canivet's Emerald: males with iridescent violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; forked tail; females 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.
Bee Hummingbird
The world's smallest bird (5-6 cm, 1.6-2 g). Endemic to Cuba. Males have an iridescent pink-red throat. Nectarivore of forest and garden flowers. Weighs less than a US dime. Heart beats 1,200 times per minute. Lays the world's smallest bird eggs (6 mm).