Turquoise-throated Puffleg vs Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Eriocnemis godini compared with Nesophlox lyrura
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Turquoise-throated Puffleg | Lyre-tailed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eriocnemis godini | Nesophlox lyrura |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.8 cm (4.6 in) | 8.0 cm (3.1 in) |
| Weight | 5.06 g (0.18 oz) | 2.425 g (0.09 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian cloud forest; extremely restricted range. Forages at Ericaceae; supplements with small arthropods. | Nectarivore probing tubular flowers in humid forest. Supplements nectar diet with small insects and spiders … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Turquoise-throated Puffleg
Soft, pure whistle with melodic inflection; gentle ascending note curving smoothly upward, rarely documented vocally.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Sharp, emphatic chip note with metallic quality; single clean staccato sound repeated at measured intervals.
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.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Endemic to Jamaica. Resident in forests and gardens across the island from lowlands to highlands.
Conservation Status
Turquoise-throated Puffleg
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
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
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Mexican Woodnymph: males with glittering violet gorget; metallic green above; white flanks; females green above; spotted white below
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.
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.