Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Band-tailed Barbthroat
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Threnetes ruckeri
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Band-tailed Barbthroat |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Threnetes ruckeri |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | 11.3 cm (4.4 in) |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 6.0 g (0.21 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Nectarivore specialising in long curved tubular flowers; also hawks small flies and midges near forest … |
| 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.
Band-tailed Barbthroat
Crisp, emphatic single chip repeated at intervals; clear staccato note with sharp attack and brief resonant tail.
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.
Band-tailed Barbthroat
Found from southern Mexico through Central America to western Colombia and northwestern Venezuela. Resident in lowland forest and shaded streams.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Band-tailed Barbthroat
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
Band-tailed Barbthroat
Bronze-green upperparts; pale buff underparts with dark throat; broad black-and-white banded tail with rufous base; blackish chin and throat with pale malar stripe; Central American species with boldly banded tail …
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.
Band-tailed Barbthroat
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-12 cm) with a decurved bill, found in humid lowland forests from Guatemala to northwestern Colombia. Green plumage with a pale breast band. Named for the barb-like feathers on its throat. Nectarivore of forest undergrowth, visiting Heliconia flowers.