Blue-fronted Lancebill vs Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Doryfera johannae compared with Nesophlox lyrura
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Blue-fronted Lancebill | Lyre-tailed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Doryfera johannae | Nesophlox lyrura |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 10.6 cm (4.2 in) | 8.0 cm (3.1 in) |
| Weight | 4.540000000000001 g (0.16 oz) | 2.425 g (0.09 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of cloud-forest epiphytes and Ericaceae blooms. Catches small arthropods near flowers for additional protein. | Nectarivore probing tubular flowers in humid forest. Supplements nectar diet with small insects and spiders … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Blue-fronted Lancebill
Sharp, high peep followed by rapid twittering; brief introductory note launching into animated cascade of lighter chips.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Sharp, emphatic chip note with metallic quality; single clean staccato sound repeated at measured intervals.
Geographic Range & Migration
Blue-fronted Lancebill
Found in lowland and foothill forests from southern Colombia through Ecuador and Peru to Bolivia. Sea level to 1,200 m.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Endemic to Jamaica. Resident in forests and gardens across the island from lowlands to highlands.
Conservation Status
Blue-fronted Lancebill
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Blue-fronted Lancebill
Dot-eared Coquette: males with elongated tufted black crest; glittering blue-green gorget; bronze-green back; females with rufous crown patch
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Mexican Woodnymph: males with glittering violet gorget; metallic green above; white flanks; females green above; spotted white below
About These Birds
Blue-fronted Lancebill
A medium-sized hummingbird (11-12 cm) with a very long, straight bill. Green plumage with a blue-violet forehead. Found in humid montane forests from Venezuela to Bolivia at 600-1,800 m. Nectarivore specializing in long-tubed flowers. Named for its lance-like bill.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) endemic to Jamaica. Males have a deeply forked, lyre-shaped tail. Green plumage. Nectarivore of forest and garden flowers. Recently split from Bahama Woodstar. A Jamaican near-endemic.