Sapphire-vented Puffleg vs Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Eriocnemis luciani compared with Nesophlox lyrura
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Sapphire-vented Puffleg | Lyre-tailed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eriocnemis luciani | Nesophlox lyrura |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.3 cm (5.6 in) | 8.0 cm (3.1 in) |
| Weight | 6.050000000000001 g (0.21 oz) | 2.425 g (0.09 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Ecuadorian and Peruvian Ericaceae-rich cloud forest. Catches small arthropods from mossy bark near … | 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
Sapphire-vented Puffleg
Melodic, descending whistle with clear timbre; smooth pure tones stepping downward gracefully in high-altitude morning.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Sharp, emphatic chip note with metallic quality; single clean staccato sound repeated at measured intervals.
Geographic Range & Migration
Sapphire-vented Puffleg
Widespread in high Andean cloud forests from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 2,400–4,200 m.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Endemic to Jamaica. Resident in forests and gardens across the island from lowlands to highlands.
Conservation Status
Sapphire-vented Puffleg
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Sapphire-vented Puffleg
Rufous-webbed Brilliant: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Mexican Woodnymph: males with glittering violet gorget; metallic green above; white flanks; females green above; spotted white below
About These Birds
Sapphire-vented Puffleg
A small hummingbird (11-12 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Colombia to Bolivia at 2,500-3,800 m. Green plumage with sapphire-blue vent and white leg puffs. Nectarivore of montane forest and páramo edges. Relatively common along the Andes.
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.