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
Broad, resonant whistle with bold projection; deep pure tone ringing out powerfully across open montane forest.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
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
Violet-fronted Brilliant
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Violet-fronted Brilliant
Rufous-shafted Woodstar: males with glittering violet gorget; metallic green above; rufous-shafted tail; females green above; spots
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
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.