Golden-bellied Starfrontlet vs Ecuadorian Piedtail
Coeligena bonapartei compared with Phlogophilus hemileucurus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Golden-bellied Starfrontlet | Ecuadorian Piedtail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena bonapartei | Phlogophilus hemileucurus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 15.0 cm (5.9 in) | 10.0 cm (3.9 in) |
| Weight | 6.800000000000001 g (0.24 oz) | 2.56 g (0.09 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian and Venezuelan cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and Clusia. Takes small insects … | Nectarivore of Andean foothill undergrowth; visits small epiphyte and Heliconia flowers. Supplements with arthropods. |
| 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.
Ecuadorian Piedtail
High, crystalline notes in musical phrase; clear bright sequence ascending smoothly in cheerful morning vocalisation.
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.
Ecuadorian Piedtail
Found on both Andean slopes in Ecuador in humid foothill and lower montane forest. 400–1,600 m elevation.
Conservation Status
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
Ecuadorian Piedtail
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
Ecuadorian Piedtail
Costa's Hummingbird: males with brilliant violet gorget with elongated side gorget feathers; metallic green above; females plain 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.
Ecuadorian Piedtail
A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) found in Andean cloud forests of Colombia and Ecuador at 1,000-2,000 m. Green plumage with white-tipped tail and dusky breast. Nectarivore of montane forest. Found in dense, mossy cloud forest understory. Uncommon.