Blue-tufted Starthroat vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Heliomaster furcifer compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Blue-tufted Starthroat | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heliomaster furcifer | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 10.8 cm (4.3 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 5.7 g (0.20 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of open Argentine and Bolivian habitats; visits diverse shrub flowers. Catches small insects in … | 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
Blue-tufted Starthroat only
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Blue-tufted Starthroat
Buzzy, insect-like trill with rapid modulation; high-frequency buzz sustained briefly then repeated after pause.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Blue-tufted Starthroat
Found from Bolivia and Brazil south to Argentina and Uruguay in open woodland and scrub. Sea level to 1,500 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
Blue-tufted Starthroat
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Blue-tufted Starthroat
Sparkling-tailed Hummingbird: males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic bronze-green; sparkling tail; females green above; spotted
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
About These Birds
Blue-tufted Starthroat
A medium-sized hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in open habitats from Venezuela and the Guianas through Brazil to Argentina. Green plumage with blue throat tufts (males) and a long, forked tail. Nectarivore of savanna, gardens, and forest edges. Widespread in southern South America.
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.