Gorgeted Puffleg vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Eriocnemis isabellae compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Gorgeted Puffleg | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eriocnemis isabellae | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Critically Endangered | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.4 cm (4.5 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 4.3 g (0.15 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of narrow-range Ecuadorian cloud forest; critically endangered. Forages at Ericaceae blooms; takes small insects. | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Gorgeted Puffleg
Bright, musical trill with bubbly quality; rapid rolling notes cascading cheerfully in active territorial display at dawn.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Gorgeted Puffleg
Endemic to the Pacific slope of the western Andes of Colombia at 2,000–3,000 m. Critically endangered.
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
Gorgeted Puffleg
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Gorgeted Puffleg
Black-throated Brilliant: males with glittering violet gorget; metallic green above; black throat; females green above; spotted below
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
About These Birds
Gorgeted Puffleg
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) endemic to a tiny area on the western slope of the Colombian Andes at 2,600-2,900 m. Males have an iridescent gorget and white leg puffs. Described in 2007. Critically Endangered due to extremely restricted range. Nectarivore of cloud forest.
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.