Mexican Sheartail vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Doricha eliza compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Mexican Sheartail | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Doricha eliza | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 7.7 cm (3.0 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 2.5 g (0.09 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of dry scrub and coastal dunes, visiting Agave and Ipomoea 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
Mexican Sheartail
Melodic, three-note ascending call; pure warm tones stepping upward smoothly, given clearly from tall perch.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Mexican Sheartail
Endemic to the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico and Cozumel Island. Classified as Near Threatened due to habitat destruction.
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
Mexican Sheartail
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
About These Birds
Mexican Sheartail
A tiny hummingbird (8-9 cm) endemic to the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico and Cozumel Island. Males have elongated, slender outer tail feathers. Nectarivore of coastal scrub and gardens. Classified as Near Threatened due to habitat destruction in its limited range.
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.