Amethyst-throated Sunangel vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Heliangelus amethysticollis compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Sunangel | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heliangelus amethysticollis | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 12.6 cm (5.0 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 5.433333333333334 g (0.19 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore foraging at Ericaceae shrubs and epiphytic orchids in cloud forest. Gleans small insects from … | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Amethyst-throated Sunangel only
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Amethyst-throated Sunangel
Soft, descending melodic phrase; gentle notes stepping smoothly down the scale in quiet, unhurried musical progression.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Amethyst-throated Sunangel
Found in Andean cloud forests from southern Peru through Bolivia. 2,400–3,800 m elevation. Resident.
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
Amethyst-throated Sunangel
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Amethyst-throated Sunangel
Perija Metaltail: deep violet-blue breast shield; shining metallic green above; white postocular stripe; females duller with 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
Amethyst-throated Sunangel
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Bolivia at 2,000-3,500 m. Males have a glittering amethyst-purple throat. Green plumage with rufous underparts. Nectarivore of montane forest and páramo edges.
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.