Fire-throated Metaltail vs Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Metallura eupogon compared with Nesophlox lyrura
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Fire-throated Metaltail | Lyre-tailed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Metallura eupogon | Nesophlox lyrura |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.9 cm (4.7 in) | 8.0 cm (3.1 in) |
| Weight | 4.8 g (0.17 oz) | 2.425 g (0.09 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Peruvian high-altitude shrublands; visits Ericaceae and Valeriana flowers. Catches small insects near blooms. | 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
Fire-throated Metaltail
Soft, pure whistle with plaintive character; gentle sustained tone with slight wavering, given at dawn from cover.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Sharp, emphatic chip note with metallic quality; single clean staccato sound repeated at measured intervals.
Geographic Range & Migration
Fire-throated Metaltail
Endemic to Peru in cloud forests and high shrub of the Cordillera Central at 2,800–4,400 m elevation.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Endemic to Jamaica. Resident in forests and gardens across the island from lowlands to highlands.
Conservation Status
Fire-throated Metaltail
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Fire-throated Metaltail
White-throated Mountain-gem: males with glittering ruby-green gorget; metallic green above; white throat; females green above; spots
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Mexican Woodnymph: males with glittering violet gorget; metallic green above; white flanks; females green above; spotted white below
About These Birds
Fire-throated Metaltail
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) endemic to the Andes of central and southern Peru at 3,000-4,200 m. Males have a glittering fiery-red throat. Nectarivore of puna scrub and cloud forest edges. A Peruvian endemic found in Polylepis woodland and high-altitude shrubs.
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.