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

Song

Soft, descending melodic phrase; gentle notes stepping smoothly down the scale in quiet, unhurried musical progression.

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem

Song

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

Least Concern

Amethyst-throated Sunangel

Least Concern

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem

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.

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