Emerald-bellied Puffleg vs Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Eriocnemis aline compared with Nesophlox lyrura
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Emerald-bellied Puffleg | Lyre-tailed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eriocnemis aline | Nesophlox lyrura |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 9.9 cm (3.9 in) | 8.0 cm (3.1 in) |
| Weight | 3.75 g (0.13 oz) | 2.425 g (0.09 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Peruvian and Bolivian montane forest; forages at Ericaceae and epiphytic orchids. Takes small … | Nectarivore probing tubular flowers in humid forest. Supplements nectar diet with small insects and spiders … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Emerald-bellied Puffleg
Rapid, light twittering cascade; high airy notes tumbling quickly in animated sequence during competitive interaction.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Sharp, emphatic chip note with metallic quality; single clean staccato sound repeated at measured intervals.
Geographic Range & Migration
Emerald-bellied Puffleg
Found on the eastern Andean slope from Peru to Bolivia in lower montane cloud forest at 900–2,200 m.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Endemic to Jamaica. Resident in forests and gardens across the island from lowlands to highlands.
Conservation Status
Emerald-bellied Puffleg
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Emerald-bellied Puffleg
Gorgeted Puffleg: males with glittering blue-violet gorget; metallic green above; large white leg puffs; females green above; spots
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Mexican Woodnymph: males with glittering violet gorget; metallic green above; white flanks; females green above; spotted white below
About These Birds
Emerald-bellied Puffleg
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Bolivia at 2,000-3,200 m. Green plumage with emerald-green belly and white leg puffs. Nectarivore of montane forest and forest edges. A widespread Andean cloud forest species.
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.