Violet-fronted Brilliant vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem

Heliodoxa leadbeateri compared with Lampornis amethystinus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Violet-fronted Brilliant Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Scientific Name Heliodoxa leadbeateri Lampornis amethystinus
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Trochilidae Trochilidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 13.4 cm (5.3 in) 13.1 cm (5.2 in)
Weight 7.183333333333334 g (0.25 oz) 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz)
Diet Nectarivore of Colombian and Venezuelan cloud forest; visits Ericaceae and Passiflora. 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

Violet-fronted Brilliant only

None

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Violet-fronted Brilliant

Song

Broad, resonant whistle with bold projection; deep pure tone ringing out powerfully across open montane forest.

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

Violet-fronted Brilliant

Widespread in Andean foothill and cloud forest from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 400–2,000 m.

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

Violet-fronted Brilliant

Least Concern

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem

About These Birds

Violet-fronted Brilliant

A medium-sized hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Bolivia at 400-2,200 m. Males have a brilliant violet forehead. Nectarivore of montane forest and forest edges. Widespread in the Andean foothills.

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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