Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Green-bellied Hummingbird
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Saucerottia viridigaster
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Green-bellied Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Saucerottia viridigaster |
| 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) | 4.366666666666666 g (0.15 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Nectarivore of Andean foothills in Colombia and Venezuela; feeds at bromeliads and supplements with arthropods. |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
None
Green-bellied 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.
Green-bellied Hummingbird
Rough, grating chatter with coarse texture; harsh series of notes delivered emphatically during territorial encounter.
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.
Green-bellied Hummingbird
Found in Andean cloud forests from Colombia to Venezuela at 500-2,000 m. Resident in montane forest edges.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Green-bellied 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
Green-bellied Hummingbird
Shining Bronze Coucal: glossy purple-blue sheen; chestnut wings; dark graduated tail; red eye; brilliant iridescence distinguishes it
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.
Green-bellied Hummingbird
A medium-sized hummingbird (9-10 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Colombia to Venezuela at 500-2,000 m. Green plumage with green belly. Nectarivore of montane forest edges and gardens. Taxonomy complex with several subspecies.