Golden-bellied Starfrontlet vs Sooty-capped Hermit
Coeligena bonapartei compared with Phaethornis augusti
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Golden-bellied Starfrontlet | Sooty-capped Hermit |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena bonapartei | Phaethornis augusti |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 15.0 cm (5.9 in) | 11.4 cm (4.5 in) |
| Weight | 6.800000000000001 g (0.24 oz) | 4.916666666666667 g (0.17 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian and Venezuelan cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and Clusia. Takes small insects … | Nectarivore specializing in Heliconia and other curved tubular flowers. Supplements diet with small 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.
Sooty-capped Hermit
Rough, scratchy chatter with coarse texture; series of dry notes scraping together in loose rhythm near nest site.
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.
Sooty-capped Hermit
Found in arid scrub and forest edges of northern Venezuela and adjacent Colombia, including Margarita Island. Sea level to 1,200 m.
Conservation Status
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
Sooty-capped Hermit
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
Sooty-capped Hermit
Great-billed Hermit: tawny underparts; greenish-olive crown; dark mask; white supercilium; massive decurved reddish-based bill; long tail
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.
Sooty-capped Hermit
A medium-sized hermit hummingbird (12-14 cm) found in montane forests from Venezuela to Peru at 800-2,400 m elevation. Dark sooty cap contrasting with green body and rufous rump. Nectarivore of forest undergrowth and edges. Known for its deep, resonant song.