Sword-billed Hummingbird vs Plain-capped Starthroat
Ensifera ensifera compared with Heliomaster constantii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Sword-billed Hummingbird | Plain-capped Starthroat |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ensifera ensifera | Heliomaster constantii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 15.3 cm (6.0 in) | 12.5 cm (4.9 in) |
| Weight | 12.75 g (0.45 oz) | 7.375 g (0.26 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore uniquely adapted to extremely long flowers of Passiflora and Datura. Supplements with small insects … | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American dry and semi-open habitats. Visits large flowers; catches insects … |
| Clutch Size | -- | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Sword-billed Hummingbird only
Plain-capped Starthroat only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Sword-billed Hummingbird
Thin, reedy whistle with plaintive character; soft nasal tone held briefly then gently fading in mist.
Plain-capped Starthroat
High, thin twittering barely audible; delicate cascade of minute notes, poorly documented vocal repertoire.
Geographic Range & Migration
Sword-billed Hummingbird
Found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 1,700–3,500 m.
Plain-capped Starthroat
Found from northwestern Mexico south through Central America to northwestern Costa Rica in dry forest. Sea level to 1,800 m.
Conservation Status
Sword-billed Hummingbird
Plain-capped Starthroat
How to Tell Them Apart
Sword-billed Hummingbird
Olivaceous Thornbill: males with iridescent purple gorget; metallic olive-bronze above; white underparts; females green above; spots
Plain-capped Starthroat
Peruvian Sheartail (alt): males with glittering violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
About These Birds
Sword-billed Hummingbird
A remarkable hummingbird (14-15 cm body) with a bill as long as its body (8-10 cm), the longest bill relative to body size of any bird. Found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Bolivia at 1,700-3,500 m. The extraordinarily long bill evolved to feed on deep tubular Passiflora flowers.
Plain-capped Starthroat
A medium-sized hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in dry to semi-humid habitats from Mexico to Costa Rica. Grey-green plumage with a purple gorget and long bill. Nectarivore of deciduous forests, thorn scrub, and gardens. Often seen at large, nectar-rich flowers.