Magnificent Hummingbird vs Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Eugenes fulgens compared with Nesophlox lyrura
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Magnificent Hummingbird | Lyre-tailed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eugenes fulgens | Nesophlox lyrura |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.4 cm (5.7 in) | 8.0 cm (3.1 in) |
| Weight | 7.81 g (0.28 oz) | 2.425 g (0.09 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American highland forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Supplements with small … | 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
Magnificent Hummingbird
Thin, high-pitched sibilant trill; rapid soft buzzing sustained gently during slow hover near cloud forest flowers.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Sharp, emphatic chip note with metallic quality; single clean staccato sound repeated at measured intervals.
Geographic Range & Migration
Magnificent Hummingbird
Found in montane forest and pine-oak woodland from southwestern USA south through Mexico to Honduras. 1,200–3,500 m.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Endemic to Jamaica. Resident in forests and gardens across the island from lowlands to highlands.
Conservation Status
Magnificent Hummingbird
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Magnificent Hummingbird
Esmeraldas Woodstar (alt): tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females spotted below
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Mexican Woodnymph: males with glittering violet gorget; metallic green above; white flanks; females green above; spotted white below
About These Birds
Magnificent Hummingbird
A large hummingbird (13 cm) found in highlands from the southwestern United States to Panama. Males have a spectacular magenta-purple gorget, dark green body, and black breast. Nectarivore of mountain meadows and pine-oak forests. Known for its dramatic courtship dive displays.
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.