Blue-throated Starfrontlet vs Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Coeligena helianthea compared with Nesophlox lyrura
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Blue-throated Starfrontlet | Lyre-tailed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena helianthea | Nesophlox lyrura |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 8.0 cm (3.1 in) |
| Weight | 6.775 g (0.24 oz) | 2.425 g (0.09 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Venezuelan Andean cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and Brachyotum. Catches small arthropods near … | Nectarivore probing tubular flowers in humid forest. Supplements nectar diet with small insects and spiders … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Blue-throated Starfrontlet
Melodic, ascending scale of clear notes; bright flute-like tones climbing smoothly in morning territorial singing.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Sharp, emphatic chip note with metallic quality; single clean staccato sound repeated at measured intervals.
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.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Endemic to Jamaica. Resident in forests and gardens across the island from lowlands to highlands.
Conservation Status
Blue-throated Starfrontlet
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
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
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Mexican Woodnymph: males with glittering violet gorget; metallic green above; white flanks; females green above; spotted white below
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.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) endemic to Jamaica. Males have a deeply forked, lyre-shaped tail. Green plumage. Nectarivore of forest and garden flowers. Recently split from Bahama Woodstar. A Jamaican near-endemic.