Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Sparkling-tailed Woodstar

Lampornis amethystinus compared with Tilmatura dupontii

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem Sparkling-tailed Woodstar
Scientific Name Lampornis amethystinus Tilmatura dupontii
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Trochilidae Trochilidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 13.1 cm (5.2 in) 7.2 cm (2.8 in)
Weight 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) 2.2 g (0.08 oz)
Diet Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. Feeds on floral nectar at low scrub blooms in dry Central American valleys. Catches small …
Clutch Size 2 --
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only

None

Sparkling-tailed Woodstar only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem

Song

Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.

Sparkling-tailed Woodstar

Song

Sharp, penetrating squeak repeated quickly; tiny piercing notes given insistently during competitive 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.

Sparkling-tailed Woodstar

Found in highlands from southern Mexico to Honduras at 600-2,500 m elevation. Resident in pine-oak and cloud forest edges.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem

Least Concern

Sparkling-tailed Woodstar

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.

Sparkling-tailed Woodstar

A tiny hummingbird (7-8 cm) found in highlands from Mexico to Honduras at 600-2,500 m. Males have a striking elongated, sparkling tail with dark tips. Nectarivore of pine-oak forest edges and gardens. The tail sparkles like fireworks in flight.

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