Blue-throated Starfrontlet vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Coeligena helianthea compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Blue-throated Starfrontlet | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena helianthea | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 6.775 g (0.24 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Venezuelan Andean cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and Brachyotum. Catches small arthropods near … | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Blue-throated Starfrontlet only
None
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Blue-throated Starfrontlet
Melodic, ascending scale of clear notes; bright flute-like tones climbing smoothly in morning territorial singing.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Blue-throated Starfrontlet
Found in cloud forests of the eastern and central Andes of Colombia and adjacent Venezuela. 2,000–3,000 m.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Found in montane forest from Mexico south through Guatemala and Honduras to El Salvador. 1,000–3,200 m.
Conservation Status
Blue-throated Starfrontlet
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Blue-throated Starfrontlet
Blue-mantled Thornbill: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; blue-metallic mantle; metallic green above; females pale spotted below
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
About These Birds
Blue-throated Starfrontlet
A medium-sized hummingbird (14-15 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Colombia at 1,800-3,000 m. Males have a glittering blue throat and iridescent violet-blue forehead. Nectarivore of montane forest and forest edges. One of the most colorful incas.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
A medium-sized hummingbird (11-12 cm) found in mountain forests from Mexico to Honduras at 1,000-3,000 m. Males have an amethyst-purple throat. Nectarivore of pine-oak and cloud forest. Commonly visits feeders in Mexican highland gardens.