White-tailed Starfrontlet vs Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Coeligena phalerata compared with Nesophlox lyrura
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | White-tailed Starfrontlet | Lyre-tailed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena phalerata | Nesophlox lyrura |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.1 cm (5.6 in) | 8.0 cm (3.1 in) |
| Weight | 6.1 g (0.22 oz) | 2.425 g (0.09 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of restricted Colombian range; visits Ericaceae and bromeliads in humid cloud forest. Supplements with … | 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
White-tailed Starfrontlet
Melodic, two-note ascending whistle; pure first tone rising to brighter second, given with clear projection from perch.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Sharp, emphatic chip note with metallic quality; single clean staccato sound repeated at measured intervals.
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.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Endemic to Jamaica. Resident in forests and gardens across the island from lowlands to highlands.
Conservation Status
White-tailed Starfrontlet
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
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
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Mexican Woodnymph: males with glittering violet gorget; metallic green above; white flanks; females green above; spotted white below
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.
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.