Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Blue-bearded Helmetcrest
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Oxypogon cyanolaemus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Blue-bearded Helmetcrest |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Oxypogon cyanolaemus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Endangered |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | 14.0 cm (5.5 in) |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 4.8 g (0.17 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Nectarivore of Venezuelan páramo; forages at Espeletia and Ericaceae blooms in cold conditions. Catches small … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
Blue-bearded Helmetcrest 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-bearded Helmetcrest
Rapid, mechanical clicking in even rhythm; dry staccato notes forming continuous even sequence typical of swift.
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-bearded Helmetcrest
Endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia, in high páramo at 3,000–4,600 m. Critically endangered.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Blue-bearded Helmetcrest
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-bearded Helmetcrest
A small hummingbird (11-12 cm) endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia, at 3,500-4,700 m. Males have a blue beard and erect crest. Critically Endangered due to extremely restricted páramo habitat on an isolated mountain range.