Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Coppery-headed Emerald
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Microchera cupreiceps
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Coppery-headed Emerald |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Microchera cupreiceps |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | — |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 3.15 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Feeds on nectar from diverse forest flowers, hovering briefly at each bloom. Takes small insects … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
None
Coppery-headed Emerald only
Song & Call Comparison
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Coppery-headed Emerald
Rough, grating buzz with coarse texture; harsh sustained vibration carrying across open scrubby hillside.
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.
Coppery-headed Emerald
Endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica at 700-1,600 m. Classified as Near Threatened. A Costa Rican endemic.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Coppery-headed Emerald
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
Coppery-headed Emerald
Little Brown Bustard: brown-vermiculated above; pale buff below; white wing patches; short streaked crest; sexually similar plumage
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.
Coppery-headed Emerald
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica at 700-1,600 m. Males have a glittering copper-green crown and white breast. Nectarivore of cloud forest and forest edges. A Costa Rican endemic. Classified as Near Threatened.