Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Short-tailed Woodstar
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Myrmia micrura
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Short-tailed Woodstar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Myrmia micrura |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | 6.8 cm (2.7 in) |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 2.1999999999999997 g (0.08 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Nectarivore of Peruvian coastal scrub and lomas vegetation; visits small flowers. Catches tiny insects in … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
None
Short-tailed Woodstar 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.
Short-tailed Woodstar
Rapid, light chips in cheerful animated sequence; bright staccato notes with buoyant quality near flowers.
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.
Short-tailed Woodstar
Found in arid scrub and coastal desert of Peru and far northern Chile. Sea level to 2,000 m elevation.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Short-tailed Woodstar
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
Short-tailed Woodstar
Santa Marta Sabrewing: males with glittering ruby-red gorget; metallic green above; white postocular stripe; females green; spotted
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.
Short-tailed Woodstar
A tiny hummingbird (6-7 cm), one of the smallest birds in the world. Found in arid coastal Peru and Ecuador. Short tail, short bill, and tiny body. Nectarivore of desert scrub and dry woodland flowers. Weighs only 2-3 grams.