White-tailed Starfrontlet vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Coeligena phalerata compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | White-tailed Starfrontlet | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena phalerata | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.1 cm (5.6 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 6.1 g (0.22 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of restricted Colombian range; visits Ericaceae and bromeliads in humid cloud forest. Supplements with … | 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
White-tailed Starfrontlet only
None
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
None
Song & Call Comparison
White-tailed Starfrontlet
Melodic, two-note ascending whistle; pure first tone rising to brighter second, given with clear projection from perch.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
White-tailed Starfrontlet
Endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia, in cloud forest and forest edge. 1,800–3,000 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
White-tailed Starfrontlet
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
White-tailed Starfrontlet
Mountain Velvetbreast: tiny; males with brilliant blue-violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spots
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
About These Birds
White-tailed Starfrontlet
A medium-sized hummingbird (13-14 cm) endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia, at 1,800-3,000 m. Green plumage with white outer tail feathers. Nectarivore of montane forest. A Santa Marta endemic found nowhere else in the world.
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.