Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Rufous-gaped Hillstar
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Urochroa bougueri
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Rufous-gaped Hillstar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Urochroa bougueri |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | 15.7 cm (6.2 in) |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 11.35 g (0.40 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Nectarivore of Colombian and Ecuadorian montane forest; visits Ericaceae and Fuchsia blooms. Catches small arthropods. |
| 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.
Rufous-gaped Hillstar
Thin, crystalline twittering with airy quality; light rapid notes cascading softly in animated aerial display.
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.
Rufous-gaped Hillstar
Found on the Pacific slope and western Andean ridge from Colombia south to Ecuador at 1,200–2,800 m.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Rufous-gaped Hillstar
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
Rufous-gaped Hillstar
White-tipped Sicklebill (alt): males with ruby-red gorget; metallic green; white-tipped outer tail feathers; females green above; spots
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.
Rufous-gaped Hillstar
A medium-sized hummingbird (13-14 cm) found in cloud forests of western Colombia and Ecuador at 1,000-2,200 m. Green plumage with rufous vent and long, deeply notched tail. Nectarivore of Chocó cloud forest. Named hillstar despite being a lowland-montane species.