Golden-bellied Starfrontlet vs Giant Hummingbird
Coeligena bonapartei compared with Patagona gigas
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Golden-bellied Starfrontlet | Giant Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena bonapartei | Patagona gigas |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 15.0 cm (5.9 in) | 27.1 cm (10.7 in) |
| Weight | 6.800000000000001 g (0.24 oz) | 18.925 g (0.67 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian and Venezuelan cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and Clusia. Takes small insects … | Nectarivore; world's largest hummingbird. Forages at Puya and Agave flowers, hovering briefly then perching. Catches … |
| 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.
Giant Hummingbird
Soft, lilting melody with flute-like purity; smooth notes weaving gently in pleasant sequence at forest edge.
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.
Giant Hummingbird
Found along the Andes from Ecuador south through Peru and Bolivia to Argentina and Chile. 2,000–4,500 m. World's largest hummingbird.
Conservation Status
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
Giant 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
Giant Hummingbird
Purple-throated Woodstar (alt): males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic bronze-green; females green above; spotted buff 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.
Giant Hummingbird
The world's largest hummingbird (21-23 cm, weight 18-24 g), roughly the size of a European Starling. Green-brown plumage. Found in open habitats along the Andes from Colombia to Chile and Argentina at 2,000-4,500 m. Nectarivore of cacti and large flowers. Unusually slow wingbeat for a hummingbird.