Green-fronted Lancebill vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem

Doryfera ludovicae compared with Lampornis amethystinus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Green-fronted Lancebill Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Scientific Name Doryfera ludovicae Lampornis amethystinus
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Trochilidae Trochilidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 11.5 cm (4.5 in) 13.1 cm (5.2 in)
Weight 5.95 g (0.21 oz) 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz)
Diet Nectarivore probing epiphyte flowers and bromeliads with long straight bill in montane forest. Supplements with … Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods.
Clutch Size 2 2
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Green-fronted Lancebill only

None

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Green-fronted Lancebill

Song

Rough, raspy chattering with energetic rhythm; series of coarse notes delivered rapidly near active foraging territories.

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem

Song

Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.

Geographic Range & Migration

Green-fronted Lancebill

Found in Andean cloud forests from Costa Rica through Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru to Bolivia. 1,200–2,400 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

Least Concern

Green-fronted Lancebill

Least Concern

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem

About These Birds

Green-fronted Lancebill

A medium-sized hummingbird (11-12 cm) with a remarkably long, straight bill (40 mm). Green plumage with a violet-blue forehead. Found in Andean cloud forests from Costa Rica to Bolivia at 800-2,500 m. Named lancebill for its dagger-like bill used to pierce the base of long tubular flowers.

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.

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