Collared Inca vs Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Coeligena torquata compared with Nesophlox lyrura
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Collared Inca | Lyre-tailed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena torquata | Nesophlox lyrura |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.8 cm (5.8 in) | 8.0 cm (3.1 in) |
| Weight | 7.675000000000001 g (0.27 oz) | 2.425 g (0.09 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Andean cloud forest; visits dense Ericaceae and Fuchsia patches. Catches small insects in … | Nectarivore probing tubular flowers in humid forest. Supplements nectar diet with small insects and spiders … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Collared Inca
Rapid, mechanical twittering cascade; quick staccato notes tumbling freely in animated sequence above mountain flowers.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Sharp, emphatic chip note with metallic quality; single clean staccato sound repeated at measured intervals.
Geographic Range & Migration
Collared Inca
Widespread in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 1,500–3,200 m.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Endemic to Jamaica. Resident in forests and gardens across the island from lowlands to highlands.
Conservation Status
Collared Inca
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Collared Inca
White-tufted Sunbeam: males with iridescent coppery-purple gorget; metallic green above; white tuft; 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
Collared Inca
A medium-sized hummingbird (13-14 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Bolivia at 1,500-3,000 m. Green plumage with a distinctive white collar band. Nectarivore of montane forest and forest edges. One of the most recognizable Andean hummingbirds.
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.