Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs White-tailed Goldenthroat
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Polytmus guainumbi
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | White-tailed Goldenthroat |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Polytmus guainumbi |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | 11.8 cm (4.6 in) |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 4.7 g (0.17 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Nectarivore of grassland and savanna flowers, particularly Heliconia and grasses. Catches small insects near water … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
White-tailed Goldenthroat 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.
White-tailed Goldenthroat
Sharp, crackling chatter with percussive quality; rapid dry notes delivered emphatically near territorial boundary.
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.
White-tailed Goldenthroat
Widespread in open habitats, savannas, and forest edges across Trinidad and Venezuela south through Brazil to Bolivia and Argentina. 0–900 m.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
White-tailed Goldenthroat
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.
White-tailed Goldenthroat
A medium-sized hummingbird (11-12 cm) with golden-green throat and breast, found in open savannas and cerrado from Venezuela to Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina. Long, slightly curved bill. Nectarivore of open country flowers. Named for its glittering golden throat plumage.