Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Oasis Hummingbird
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Rhodopis vesper
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Oasis Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Rhodopis vesper |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | 11.1 cm (4.4 in) |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 4.08 g (0.14 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Nectarivore of Peruvian coastal desert oases; visits Capparis, Tillandsia, and garden flowers. Supplements with small … |
| 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.
Oasis Hummingbird
Soft, pure whistle with warm timbre; gentle sustained tone with slight fall at end, given quietly. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
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.
Oasis Hummingbird
Found in coastal fog valleys and desert oases of Peru and northern Chile. Sea level to 3,200 m. Highly restricted lowland range.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Oasis Hummingbird
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
Oasis Hummingbird
Lazuline Sabrewing: tiny; males with brilliant lazuline blue gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females plain green; spots
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.
Oasis Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (12-13 cm including long tail) found in the arid coastal deserts of Peru and northern Chile. Dull plumage with a long, forked tail. Nectarivore specializing in desert flowers and columnar cacti. One of the few hummingbirds adapted to hyper-arid environments.