Turquoise-throated Puffleg vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Eriocnemis godini compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Turquoise-throated Puffleg | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eriocnemis godini | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.8 cm (4.6 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 5.06 g (0.18 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian cloud forest; extremely restricted range. Forages at Ericaceae; supplements with small arthropods. | 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
Turquoise-throated Puffleg only
None
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Turquoise-throated Puffleg
Soft, pure whistle with melodic inflection; gentle ascending note curving smoothly upward, rarely documented vocally.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Turquoise-throated Puffleg
Historically known from Ecuador and possibly Colombia; possibly extinct or near-extinct. Last confirmed records from Imbabura at 2,400–2,800 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
Turquoise-throated Puffleg
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Turquoise-throated Puffleg
Violet-chested Hummingbird: males with glittering deep purple gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green with spots
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
About These Birds
Turquoise-throated Puffleg
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) known only from historical specimens collected in the 19th century in Colombia or Ecuador. No confirmed modern records. Classified as Critically Endangered, possibly extinct. Turquoise throat (specimens) distinguishes it from other pufflegs.
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.