Golden-crowned Emerald vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Cynanthus auriceps compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Golden-crowned Emerald | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cynanthus auriceps | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 2.2 g (0.08 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Hovering nectarivore of lowland and montane forest, probing Heliconia and garden flowers. Supplements with insects … | 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
Golden-crowned Emerald
Deep, resonant trill with buzzing quality; powerful churring vibration carrying impressively across open slopes.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Golden-crowned Emerald
Endemic to the Pacific slope of western Mexico from Sinaloa to Guerrero. Resident in tropical deciduous forest.
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
Golden-crowned Emerald
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Golden-crowned Emerald
Charming Hummingbird: males with brilliant violet-blue gorget; metallic green above; white flanks; females green above; spotted below
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
About These Birds
Golden-crowned Emerald
A medium-sized hummingbird (9-10 cm) endemic to the Pacific slope of western Mexico from Sinaloa to Guerrero. Males have a golden crown and green body. Nectarivore of tropical deciduous and semi-arid forest. A Mexican endemic.
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.