Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Vervain Hummingbird
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Mellisuga minima
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Vervain Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Mellisuga minima |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | 7.3 cm (2.9 in) |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 2.174 g (0.08 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Feeds on floral nectar in forest edges and gardens of Jamaica and Hispaniola. Supplements with … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 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.
Vervain Hummingbird
Harsh, nasal chatter with emphatic rhythm; rough buzzy notes delivered rapidly with coarse texture from perch.
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.
Vervain Hummingbird
Endemic to Jamaica and Hispaniola in the Caribbean. Resident in gardens, forest edges, and lowland to montane habitats.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Vervain Hummingbird
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.
Vervain Hummingbird
The second smallest bird in the world (6 cm, 2-2.4 g). Endemic to Jamaica and Hispaniola. Tiny green plumage with a short bill. Nectarivore of garden flowers and forest edges. Named vervain for its preference for Stachytarpheta (vervain) flowers. Weighs less than a penny.