Rufous-breasted Hermit vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Glaucis hirsutus compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Rufous-breasted Hermit | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Glaucis hirsutus | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.8 cm (4.6 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 6.533333333333334 g (0.23 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectar-dependent hummingbird harvesting energy-rich floral rewards; dietary protein from small arthropods. | 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
Rufous-breasted Hermit
Soft, high squeaking notes in loose sequence; gentle twittering with intermittent pauses, barely carrying beyond close range.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Rufous-breasted Hermit
Found from Trinidad and the Guianas south through Amazonia, and coastal regions from Colombia to Brazil. Resident in forest edge and gardens.
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
Rufous-breasted Hermit
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Rufous-breasted Hermit
Bronze-green upperparts; rich rufous-orange breast and flanks contrasting with whitish belly; pale supercilium; rufous tail with dark subterminal band; widespread Neotropical hermit with brighter rufous breast than Bronzy Hermit.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
About These Birds
Rufous-breasted Hermit
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-12 cm) found in humid forests and mangroves from Central America to Brazil and Trinidad. Green plumage with rufous breast and curved bill. Nectarivore visiting Heliconia, bananas, and other large-flowered tropical plants in forest undergrowth.
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.