Rainbow Starfrontlet vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Coeligena iris compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Rainbow Starfrontlet | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena iris | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 16.0 cm (6.3 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 7.266666666666667 g (0.26 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Ecuadorian and Peruvian cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and mossy shrub flowers. Takes … | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Rainbow Starfrontlet
Thin, sibilant trill sustained briefly; continuous high-frequency vibration then silence, barely perceptible in habitat.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Rainbow Starfrontlet
Found in cloud forests of southern Ecuador and northern Peru at 1,800–3,200 m elevation.
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
Rainbow Starfrontlet
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
About These Birds
Rainbow Starfrontlet
A medium-sized hummingbird (13-14 cm) found in the Andes of Peru and Ecuador at 1,800-3,200 m. Males display rainbow-like iridescence on the forehead, flashing different colors as light angle changes. Nectarivore of montane forest and scrub.
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.