Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Scale-throated Hermit
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Phaethornis eurynome
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Scale-throated Hermit |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Phaethornis eurynome |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | 11.7 cm (4.6 in) |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 4.96 g (0.17 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Nectarivore of long-tubed lowland flowers, especially Heliconia. Gleans small insects and spiders from leaf surfaces. |
| 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.
Scale-throated Hermit
Buzzy, high-pitched trill sustained for several seconds; continuous vibrating note with little variation, insect-like quality.
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.
Scale-throated Hermit
Endemic to the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil from Minas Gerais south to Rio Grande do Sul. Found at 100–1,500 m.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Scale-throated Hermit
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
Scale-throated Hermit
Koepcke's Hermit: cinnamon underparts; olive-green crown and back; pale supercilium; graduated tail with white tips; decurved bill
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.
Scale-throated Hermit
A medium-sized hermit hummingbird (14-15 cm) found in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil, northeastern Argentina, and eastern Paraguay. Green plumage with scaled throat pattern and long, white-tipped tail. Nectarivore of forest undergrowth and edges.