Black-thighed Puffleg vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Eriocnemis derbyi compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-thighed Puffleg | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eriocnemis derbyi | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.2 cm (4.4 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 5.25 g (0.19 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian Andes; visits dense Ericaceae patches at high elevations. Catches small insects in … | 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
Black-thighed Puffleg
Rapid, buzzy trill with slightly harsh quality; quick series of rough notes given persistently near territorial boundaries.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Black-thighed Puffleg
Found in high Andean cloud forests and páramo from Colombia south through Ecuador to northern Peru. 2,400–3,600 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
Black-thighed Puffleg
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Black-thighed Puffleg
Fawn-breasted Brilliant: males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic bronze-green; fawn-buff underparts; females green above; spotted
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
About These Birds
Black-thighed Puffleg
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Colombia to Ecuador at 2,500-3,200 m. Green plumage with black thigh feathers and white leg puffs. Nectarivore of cloud forest and forest edges. Classified as Near Threatened due to habitat loss.
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.