Scaled Metaltail vs Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Metallura aeneocauda compared with Nesophlox lyrura
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Scaled Metaltail | Lyre-tailed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Metallura aeneocauda | Nesophlox lyrura |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.7 cm (4.6 in) | 8.0 cm (3.1 in) |
| Weight | 5.300000000000001 g (0.19 oz) | 2.425 g (0.09 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Bolivian and Peruvian shrublands; forages at Ericaceae and Lupinus. Supplements with small … | Nectarivore probing tubular flowers in humid forest. Supplements nectar diet with small insects and spiders … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Scaled Metaltail
Rapid, bright chips in cheerful sequence; light staccato notes with buoyant quality delivered during foraging activity.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Sharp, emphatic chip note with metallic quality; single clean staccato sound repeated at measured intervals.
Geographic Range & Migration
Scaled Metaltail
Found in high Andean scrub and puna from southern Peru south through Bolivia to northwestern Argentina. 3,000–4,800 m.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Endemic to Jamaica. Resident in forests and gardens across the island from lowlands to highlands.
Conservation Status
Scaled Metaltail
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Scaled Metaltail
Garnet-throated Hummingbird: males with iridescent violet gorget; metallic green above; garnet-red wings; females green above; spotted
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Mexican Woodnymph: males with glittering violet gorget; metallic green above; white flanks; females green above; spotted white below
About These Birds
Scaled Metaltail
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Peru to Bolivia at 2,500-4,000 m. Green plumage with bronze-green tail, appearing scaled. Nectarivore of montane forest and páramo edges. Found in Polylepis woodland and elfin forest.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) endemic to Jamaica. Males have a deeply forked, lyre-shaped tail. Green plumage. Nectarivore of forest and garden flowers. Recently split from Bahama Woodstar. A Jamaican near-endemic.