Black-eared Fairy vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Heliothryx auritus compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-eared Fairy | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heliothryx auritus | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.0 cm (5.1 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 5.15 g (0.18 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore robbing nectar from large flowers in forest canopy. Gleans small spiders and soft-bodied insects … | 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
Black-eared Fairy
Soft, liquid notes in gentle cascade; flowing sequence of mellow tones with subtle tremolo in misty 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
Black-eared Fairy
Widespread in Amazonian lowlands from the Guianas south through Brazil and west to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 0–700 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
Black-eared Fairy
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Black-eared Fairy
Blue-chinned Sapphire: males with shining blue chin; metallic green above; white pectoral tufts; females green above with blue-spotted throat
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
About These Birds
Black-eared Fairy
A slender, elegant hummingbird (11-12 cm) with a long, forked tail, glittering green plumage, and bold black ear patches. Found in humid lowland forests from eastern Colombia and Venezuela through Amazonia to Bolivia and Brazil. Nectarivore of forest canopy. Named for its graceful flight.
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.