Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Azure-crowned Hummingbird
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Saucerottia cyanocephala
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Azure-crowned Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Saucerottia cyanocephala |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | — |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 5.599999999999999 g (0.20 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Feeds on nectar from dry Mexican highlands; supplements with small insects and spiders gleaned from … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
None
Azure-crowned Hummingbird only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Azure-crowned Hummingbird
Rapid, light twittering with bright crystalline quality; airy notes cascading freely in animated aerial display.
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.
Azure-crowned Hummingbird
Found in humid montane forests from Mexico to Honduras at 800-2,500 m. Resident in Central American highlands.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Azure-crowned 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
Azure-crowned Hummingbird
Short-toed Coucal: shorter-tailed; dark brown above; rufous wings; buff below with dark streaking; red eye; secretive habits
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.
Azure-crowned Hummingbird
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in humid montane forests from Mexico to Honduras at 800-2,500 m. Green plumage with an azure-blue crown (males). Nectarivore of cloud forest edges and gardens. One of the most common highland hummingbirds in Mesoamerica.