Bolivian Starfrontlet vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Coeligena violifer compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Bolivian Starfrontlet | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena violifer | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.6 cm (5.7 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 7.675 g (0.27 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian and Venezuelan Andean cloud forest; visits Ericaceae and epiphyte blooms. Gleans small … | 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
Bolivian Starfrontlet
Bright, whistled descending phrase; clean notes stepping down smoothly with precision and musical elegance in Andes.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Bolivian Starfrontlet
Found in Andean cloud forests of Bolivia and Peru on the eastern slope at 1,800–3,400 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
Bolivian Starfrontlet
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Bolivian Starfrontlet
Black-hooded Sunbeam: males with glittering magenta gorget; metallic green above; black hood; females plain green above; spotted
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
About These Birds
Bolivian Starfrontlet
A medium-sized hummingbird (13-14 cm) found in the Andes from Peru to Bolivia at 2,500-3,500 m. Males have violet breast and green body. Nectarivore of cloud forest and páramo edges. An attractive Andean starfrontlet with iridescent violet patches.
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.