Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Blue-throated Hillstar
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Oreotrochilus cyanolaemus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Blue-throated Hillstar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Oreotrochilus cyanolaemus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Critically Endangered |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | — |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 7.6 g (0.27 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Nectarivore adapted to very high elevations; forages at Chuquiraga, Gentianella, and Puya flowers. Gleans arthropods. |
| Clutch Size | 2 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
Blue-throated Hillstar 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.
Blue-throated Hillstar
Buzzy, sustained trill with monotonous quality; continuous low-pitched vibration with little variation across prolonged delivery.
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.
Blue-throated Hillstar
Endemic to the Cordillera de Chilla region of extreme southwestern Ecuador in high páramo. 3,200–4,200 m. Endangered.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Blue-throated Hillstar
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.
Blue-throated Hillstar
A recently discovered hummingbird (11 cm) from the southwestern Andes of Ecuador at 3,300-3,900 m. Males have an iridescent blue throat. Described in 2018. Known from a single ridgeline. Critically Endangered with a range estimated at less than 100 km2.