Golden-bellied Starfrontlet vs Scaled Metaltail
Coeligena bonapartei compared with Metallura aeneocauda
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Golden-bellied Starfrontlet | Scaled Metaltail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena bonapartei | Metallura aeneocauda |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 15.0 cm (5.9 in) | 11.7 cm (4.6 in) |
| Weight | 6.800000000000001 g (0.24 oz) | 5.300000000000001 g (0.19 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian and Venezuelan cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and Clusia. Takes small insects … | Nectarivore of high Bolivian and Peruvian shrublands; forages at Ericaceae and Lupinus. Supplements with small … |
| 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.
Scaled Metaltail
Rapid, bright chips in cheerful sequence; light staccato notes with buoyant quality delivered during foraging activity.
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.
Scaled Metaltail
Found in high Andean scrub and puna from southern Peru south through Bolivia to northwestern Argentina. 3,000–4,800 m.
Conservation Status
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
Scaled Metaltail
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
Scaled Metaltail
Garnet-throated Hummingbird: males with iridescent violet gorget; metallic green above; garnet-red wings; females green above; spotted
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.
Scaled Metaltail
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Peru to Bolivia at 2,500-4,000 m. Green plumage with bronze-green tail, appearing scaled. Nectarivore of montane forest and páramo edges. Found in Polylepis woodland and elfin forest.