Black-bellied Thorntail vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Discosura langsdorffi compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-bellied Thorntail | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Discosura langsdorffi | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 7.0 cm (2.8 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 3.2 g (0.11 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore visiting diverse canopy flowers in humid Amazonian forest. Takes small arthropods in aerial hover-gleaning. | 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
Black-bellied Thorntail
Deep, hollow churring with resonant character; prolonged low buzzing sound vibrating persistently through dense foliage.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Black-bellied Thorntail
Found in lowland Amazonian forest from southeastern Colombia south through Ecuador and Peru to Bolivia. 100–600 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
Black-bellied Thorntail
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Black-bellied Thorntail
Red-tailed Comet: males with glittering green gorget; brilliant coppery-bronze crown; metallic green back; reddish tail; females duller
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
About These Birds
Black-bellied Thorntail
A tiny hummingbird (7-8 cm plus extended tail feathers) found in lowland forests from eastern Colombia through Amazonia to Bolivia and Brazil. Males have dark belly and long, wire-like outer tail feathers with racket tips. Nectarivore of forest canopy and edges.
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.