Golden-bellied Starfrontlet vs Fiery Topaz
Coeligena bonapartei compared with Topaza pyra
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Golden-bellied Starfrontlet | Fiery Topaz |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena bonapartei | Topaza pyra |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 15.0 cm (5.9 in) | 15.2 cm (6.0 in) |
| Weight | 6.800000000000001 g (0.24 oz) | 12.8 g (0.45 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian and Venezuelan cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and Clusia. Takes small insects … | Primarily nectar-feeding; uses exceptionally curved bill to access heliconia blossoms; supplements with small insects. |
| 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.
Fiery Topaz
Gentle, whistled three-note phrase with falling inflection; soft, pure tones delivered slowly with expressive melodic quality.
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.
Fiery Topaz
Found in the western Amazon basin from Colombia and Ecuador south to Peru and Bolivia. Resident in lowland and foothill forest along rivers.
Conservation Status
Golden-bellied Starfrontlet
Fiery Topaz
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
Fiery Topaz
Males fiery orange-red body with glittering golden-orange gorget; elongated crossed purplish tail feathers; female bronze-green above, cinnamon below; Amazonian species with slightly more orange tone than Crimson Topaz.
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.
Fiery Topaz
A spectacular, large hummingbird (18-20 cm) of the western Amazon basin. Male has a brilliant fiery-red throat and breast with iridescent golden-green upperparts. Nectarivore of lowland rainforest canopy. Found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and western Brazil. Visits Heliconia and other large tropical flowers.