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
Song & Call Comparison
Green-fronted Lancebill
Rough, raspy chattering with energetic rhythm; series of coarse notes delivered rapidly near active foraging territories.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
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
Green-fronted Lancebill
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Green-fronted Lancebill
Spangled Coquette: males with spectacular white upswept crest; glittering green gorget; females with white-streaked crest; buff-white below
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
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.