Mountain Velvetbreast vs Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Lafresnaya lafresnayi compared with Lampornis amethystinus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Mountain Velvetbreast | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lafresnaya lafresnayi | Lampornis amethystinus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 12.7 cm (5.0 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 5.6 g (0.20 oz) | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian and Venezuelan Andean cloud forest; visits Ericaceae and Fuchsia. Gleans small arthropods … | 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
Mountain Velvetbreast
Sharp, staccato chips in rapid sequence; clean emphatic notes delivered with rising intensity near territorial dispute.
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Mountain Velvetbreast
Found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 1,400–3,200 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
Mountain Velvetbreast
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Mountain Velvetbreast
Rufous-capped Thornbill: males with ruby gorget; metallic green; rufous-capped; females green above; spotted buff underparts; tiny
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
About These Birds
Mountain Velvetbreast
A medium-sized hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Peru at 2,000-3,500 m. Males have a velvety black breast with green iridescence. Long, slightly decurved bill. Nectarivore of montane forest, visiting Ericaceae and Fuchsia flowers.
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.