Wire-crested Thorntail vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Discosura popelairii compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Wire-crested Thorntail | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Discosura popelairii | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 6.6 cm (2.6 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 2.5 g (0.09 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of lowland tropical forest; forages high in canopy at flowering bromeliads and epiphytes. Supplements … | 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
Wire-crested Thorntail
Rapid, light twittering with crystalline quality; bright airy notes cascading freely in animated display above canopy.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Wire-crested Thorntail
Found on the eastern Andean slope in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and far western Brazil. 200–1,400 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
Wire-crested Thorntail
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Wire-crested Thorntail
Bronze-tailed Comet: males with brilliant coppery-orange crown; glittering teal gorget; metallic green back; bronze 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
Wire-crested Thorntail
A tiny hummingbird (7-8 cm plus extended tail wires in males, total 12-13 cm). Males have a spectacular erect green crest and long, wire-like outer tail feathers. Found in Andean foothill forests from Colombia to Peru. Nectarivore. One of the most ornate hummingbirds.
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.