Little Sunangel vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Heliangelus micraster compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Little Sunangel | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heliangelus micraster | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 12.7 cm (5.0 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 3.8499999999999996 g (0.14 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of misty upper montane forest; forages at diverse epiphyte and shrub flowers. Gleans small … | 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
Little Sunangel
Sharp, emphatic rattle with forceful delivery; rapid dry notes erupting suddenly then ceasing in abrupt silence.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Little Sunangel
Found in Andean cloud forests of southern Ecuador and northern Peru at 2,000–3,500 m. Locally common.
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
Little Sunangel
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
About These Birds
Little Sunangel
A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Ecuador to Peru at 1,500-2,500 m. Males have a small violet gorget. Green plumage. Nectarivore of montane forest. The smallest sunangel species. Uncommon and poorly studied.
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.