Golden-breasted Puffleg vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Eriocnemis mosquera compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Golden-breasted Puffleg | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eriocnemis mosquera | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.6 cm (5.7 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 5.625 g (0.20 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Ecuadorian western Andes; visits dense Ericaceae blooms at mid-elevations. Takes small insects. | 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
Golden-breasted Puffleg
Sharp, emphatic chip note; single clean staccato sound repeated at intervals from prominent perch near nectar flowers.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Golden-breasted Puffleg
Found in high Andean páramo and upper cloud forest from Colombia to Ecuador at 2,800–4,000 m elevation.
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
Golden-breasted Puffleg
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Golden-breasted Puffleg
Green-crowned Brilliant: males with glittering ruby gorget; metallic green crown; white postocular stripe; 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
Golden-breasted Puffleg
A small hummingbird (11-12 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Colombia to Ecuador at 2,500-3,500 m. Males have an iridescent golden breast and white leg puffs. Nectarivore of montane forest and páramo edges. An attractive and relatively conspicuous puffleg.
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.