Rufous-throated Hummingbird vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Hylocharis sapphirina compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Rufous-throated Hummingbird | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hylocharis sapphirina | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 4.239999999999999 g (0.15 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore visiting diverse flowering plants; supplements the high-sugar nectar diet with small insects and spiders … | 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
Rufous-throated Hummingbird only
None
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Rufous-throated Hummingbird
Sharp, piercing screech with urgent character; sudden loud rough call given during aerial territorial chase.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Rufous-throated Hummingbird
Found in humid lowland forests from Colombia through Amazonia to Bolivia and Brazil. Resident in forest edges.
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
Rufous-throated Hummingbird
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Rufous-throated Hummingbird
Violet Coucal: brilliant violet-blue iridescent body; rufous wings; dark graduated tail; red eye; violet iridescence distinctive
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
About These Birds
Rufous-throated Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) found in humid lowland forests from Colombia through Amazonia to Bolivia and Brazil. Males have a rufous-red throat. Green plumage. Nectarivore of forest edges and river-edge habitats. Often confused with the similar Gilded Hummingbird.
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.