Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Purple-throated Mountain-gem
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Lampornis calolaemus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Purple-throated Mountain-gem |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Lampornis calolaemus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | 12.5 cm (4.9 in) |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 5.625 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Nectarivore of Costa Rican highlands; visits Ericaceae and Fuchsia blooms. Catches small insects near flowering … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
None
Purple-throated Mountain-gem only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Purple-throated Mountain-gem
Melodic, rolling phrase with rich warm timbre; bubbly musical notes tumbling pleasantly in relaxed sequence.
Geographic Range & Migration
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Found in montane forest from Mexico south through Guatemala and Honduras to El Salvador. 1,000–3,200 m.
Purple-throated Mountain-gem
Found in highland forest from Costa Rica and Nicaragua to Guatemala and Honduras. 600–2,400 m.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Purple-throated Mountain-gem
How to Tell Them Apart
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
Purple-throated Mountain-gem
Broad-tailed Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white flanks; females plain green; spots
About These Birds
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.
Purple-throated Mountain-gem
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in cloud forests of Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and western Panama at 800-2,000 m. Males have a brilliant purple throat. Nectarivore of cloud forest and forest edges. Common at highland feeders in Costa Rica.