Lesser Violetear vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Colibri cyanotus compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Lesser Violetear | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Colibri cyanotus | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 4.866666666666667 g (0.17 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore highly adaptable to disturbed habitats; visits Lantana, Salvia, and Ericaceae flowers. Supplements with small … | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Lesser Violetear
Rapid, light chips in cheerful sequence; bright staccato notes with buoyant quality delivered during active foraging.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Lesser Violetear
Found in Andean highlands from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 1,000–2,800 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
Lesser Violetear
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Lesser Violetear
Violet-headed Hummingbird: violet-blue gorget and head; metallic green above; white belly; cinnamon flanks; females duller with spotted throat
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
About These Birds
Lesser Violetear
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) with bright green plumage and violet-blue ear patches. Found in Andean highlands from Costa Rica to Bolivia at 1,200-3,000 m. Nectarivore of cloud forest edges and gardens. Recently split from Green Violetear; range extends south of Panama.
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.