Green Violetear vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Colibri thalassinus compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Green Violetear | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Colibri thalassinus | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 12.5 cm (4.9 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 5.092499999999999 g (0.18 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of montane gardens and cloud-forest borders. Takes small insects in aerial sallies from prominent … | 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
Green Violetear
Melodic, descending four-note phrase; clear flute-like tones stepping down smoothly, characteristic of violetear territory song.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Green Violetear
Found in highlands from central Mexico south through Central America to western Bolivia. Common in montane forest at 1,000–3,000 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
Green Violetear
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
About These Birds
Green Violetear
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-12 cm) with brilliant green plumage and iridescent violet-blue ear patches. Found in highlands from Mexico to Nicaragua at 1,000-3,500 m. Nectarivore of mountain forests, gardens, and cloud forest edges. Common and conspicuous. Formerly included Lesser Violetear.
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.