Violet-throated Metaltail vs Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Metallura baroni compared with Nesophlox lyrura
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Violet-throated Metaltail | Lyre-tailed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Metallura baroni | Nesophlox lyrura |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.4 cm (4.5 in) | 8.0 cm (3.1 in) |
| Weight | 4.4 g (0.16 oz) | 2.425 g (0.09 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Ecuadorian treeline vegetation; specialized for Ericaceae blooms above 3000 m. Catches small arthropods. | Nectarivore probing tubular flowers in humid forest. Supplements nectar diet with small insects and spiders … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Violet-throated Metaltail only
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Violet-throated Metaltail
Melodic, flute-like phrase with clear quality; smooth notes flowing pleasantly in quiet sequence at forest edge.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Sharp, emphatic chip note with metallic quality; single clean staccato sound repeated at measured intervals.
Geographic Range & Migration
Violet-throated Metaltail
Endemic to a tiny area in the Cajas plateau region of southwestern Ecuador. 3,000–4,200 m. Critically endangered.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Endemic to Jamaica. Resident in forests and gardens across the island from lowlands to highlands.
Conservation Status
Violet-throated Metaltail
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Violet-throated Metaltail
Green-throated Mountain-gem: males with glittering green gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; 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
Violet-throated Metaltail
A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) endemic to the Andes of southern Ecuador at 2,500-3,500 m. Males have a violet-purple throat. Nectarivore of cloud forest and páramo edges. Classified as Endangered due to limited range. Named after Baron Erich von Baroni.
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.