Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Black-crested Coquette
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Lophornis helenae
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Black-crested Coquette |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Lophornis helenae |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | 7.9 cm (3.1 in) |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 2.7 g (0.10 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Nectarivore of Central American foothill forest. Defends small flower patches; supplements with tiny arthropods. |
| Clutch Size | 2 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Black-crested Coquette
Rapid, mechanical twittering cascade; quick staccato notes tumbling freely in animated sequence above flowering trees.
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.
Black-crested Coquette
Found from southern Mexico through Central America to western Colombia in lowland and foothill forest. 0–1,200 m.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Black-crested Coquette
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
Black-crested Coquette
Bee Hummingbird: world's smallest bird; males with glittering blue-violet gorget; metallic green above; females plain green above
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.
Black-crested Coquette
A tiny hummingbird (7 cm) found in humid forests from southern Mexico through Central America to Belize and Guatemala. Males have an elongated black crest and white tail-band. Nectarivore of forest undergrowth and edges. Uncommon and inconspicuous.