Long-billed Starthroat vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Heliomaster longirostris compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Long-billed Starthroat | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heliomaster longirostris | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.7 cm (4.6 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 6.540000000000001 g (0.23 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of lowland and foothill open habitats; visits diverse flowers at forest edges and clearings. … | 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
Long-billed Starthroat
Soft, liquid notes cascading gently; mellow flowing sequence with subtle variation characteristic of Andean forest species.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Long-billed Starthroat
Widespread from southern Mexico through Central America to Bolivia, Brazil, and Trinidad. Prefers open habitats. 0–1,200 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
Long-billed Starthroat
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Long-billed Starthroat
Stripe-breasted Starthroat (alt): tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; females plain 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
Long-billed Starthroat
A medium-sized hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in humid forests from southern Mexico to Bolivia and Brazil. Long, slightly decurved bill. Green plumage with a glittering blue-purple throat. Nectarivore of forest canopy and edges. Widespread Neotropical species.
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.