Gorgeted Sunangel vs Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Heliangelus strophianus compared with Nesophlox lyrura
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Gorgeted Sunangel | Lyre-tailed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heliangelus strophianus | Nesophlox lyrura |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.2 cm (5.2 in) | 8.0 cm (3.1 in) |
| Weight | 5.3999999999999995 g (0.19 oz) | 2.425 g (0.09 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean shrublands; hovers at dense Ericaceae clumps. Takes small arthropods gleaned from … | Nectarivore probing tubular flowers in humid forest. Supplements nectar diet with small insects and spiders … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Gorgeted Sunangel
High, thin whistle barely perceptible; delicate sustained note hovering near upper frequency limit of human hearing.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Sharp, emphatic chip note with metallic quality; single clean staccato sound repeated at measured intervals.
Geographic Range & Migration
Gorgeted Sunangel
Found on the western Andean slope in Colombia and northwestern Ecuador in cloud forest. 1,600–2,800 m.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Endemic to Jamaica. Resident in forests and gardens across the island from lowlands to highlands.
Conservation Status
Gorgeted Sunangel
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Gorgeted Sunangel
Neblina Metaltail: males metallic green above; iridescent violet gorget; white underparts; females green above with pale spotted underparts
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Mexican Woodnymph: males with glittering violet gorget; metallic green above; white flanks; females green above; spotted white below
About These Birds
Gorgeted Sunangel
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in cloud forests of western Colombia and Ecuador at 1,500-2,500 m. Males have a spectacular iridescent gorget with pink and violet hues. Nectarivore of epiphyte-rich cloud forest. Classified as Endangered due to habitat loss.
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.