Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Glow-throated Hummingbird
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Selasphorus ardens
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Glow-throated Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Selasphorus ardens |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Endangered |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | 8.0 cm (3.1 in) |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 3.1 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Nectarivore of Chiriquí highlands; feeds at flowering understorey shrubs and supplements with insects and spiders. |
| Clutch Size | 2 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
None
Glow-throated 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.
Glow-throated Hummingbird
Deep, hollow resonant churr; low-frequency buzzing sound vibrating persistently through tropical forest canopy.
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.
Glow-throated Hummingbird
Endemic to the western highlands of Panama at 900-2,000 m in the Chiriquí region. Classified as Endangered.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Glow-throated 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
Glow-throated Hummingbird
Black-billed Streamertail: males with glittering green body; elongated tail streamers; black bill; females plain green above; spotted
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.
Glow-throated Hummingbird
A tiny hummingbird (7-8 cm) endemic to the western highlands of Panama at 900-2,000 m. Males have a glowing magenta throat. Nectarivore of cloud forest edges. Classified as Endangered due to extremely restricted range in the Chiriquí highlands.