Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Crimson Topaz

Lampornis amethystinus compared with Topaza pella

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem Crimson Topaz
Scientific Name Lampornis amethystinus Topaza pella
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Trochilidae Trochilidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 13.1 cm (5.2 in) 15.0 cm (5.9 in)
Weight 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) 12.625 g (0.45 oz)
Diet Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. Nectarivore and insectivore; extracts nectar from trap-lining flowers and hawks small flying insects in forest …
Clutch Size 2 2
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only

None

Crimson Topaz 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.

Crimson Topaz

Song

Rough, raspy chatter with intermittent clear whistles; complex mix of harsh and musical notes characteristic of active pairs.

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.

Crimson Topaz

Found in the Guiana Shield and Amazon basin from Colombia and Venezuela south to Peru and Brazil. Resident near rivers in lowland forest.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem

Least Concern

Crimson Topaz

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.

Crimson Topaz

A spectacular, large hummingbird (18-20 cm including long tail) of northern South America. Male has glittering crimson-red throat and breast with a golden-green back. The largest hummingbird in its range. Nectarivore of lowland tropical forest canopy, visiting large flowers. Found in Venezuela, the Guianas, and northern Brazil.

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