Amethyst-throated Sunangel vs Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Heliangelus amethysticollis compared with Nesophlox lyrura
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Sunangel | Lyre-tailed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heliangelus amethysticollis | Nesophlox lyrura |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 12.6 cm (5.0 in) | 8.0 cm (3.1 in) |
| Weight | 5.433333333333334 g (0.19 oz) | 2.425 g (0.09 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore foraging at Ericaceae shrubs and epiphytic orchids in cloud forest. Gleans small insects from … | Nectarivore probing tubular flowers in humid forest. Supplements nectar diet with small insects and spiders … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Amethyst-throated Sunangel only
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Amethyst-throated Sunangel
Soft, descending melodic phrase; gentle notes stepping smoothly down the scale in quiet, unhurried musical progression.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Sharp, emphatic chip note with metallic quality; single clean staccato sound repeated at measured intervals.
Geographic Range & Migration
Amethyst-throated Sunangel
Found in Andean cloud forests from southern Peru through Bolivia. 2,400–3,800 m elevation. Resident.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Endemic to Jamaica. Resident in forests and gardens across the island from lowlands to highlands.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Sunangel
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
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
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Mexican Woodnymph: males with glittering violet gorget; metallic green above; white flanks; females green above; spotted white below
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.
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.