Perija Metaltail vs Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Metallura iracunda compared with Nesophlox lyrura
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Perija Metaltail | Lyre-tailed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Metallura iracunda | Nesophlox lyrura |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.6 cm (4.6 in) | 8.0 cm (3.1 in) |
| Weight | 3.8499999999999996 g (0.14 oz) | 2.425 g (0.09 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian cloud forest edges; forages at Ericaceae and epiphyte flowers. Supplements with small … | Nectarivore probing tubular flowers in humid forest. Supplements nectar diet with small insects and spiders … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Perija Metaltail
Soft, liquid notes with gentle character; mellow flowing sequence with subtle melodic variation in humid forest.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Sharp, emphatic chip note with metallic quality; single clean staccato sound repeated at measured intervals.
Geographic Range & Migration
Perija Metaltail
Endemic to the Serranía de Perijá on the Colombia–Venezuela border in cloud forest. 2,000–3,200 m. Restricted range.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Endemic to Jamaica. Resident in forests and gardens across the island from lowlands to highlands.
Conservation Status
Perija Metaltail
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Perija Metaltail
Plain-capped Starthroat: males iridescent magenta gorget; metallic bronze-green above; white flanks; females green above; spotted below
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Mexican Woodnymph: males with glittering violet gorget; metallic green above; white flanks; females green above; spotted white below
About These Birds
Perija Metaltail
A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) endemic to the Sierra de Perijá on the Colombia-Venezuela border at 2,400-3,200 m. Males have purple-red tail. Nectarivore of cloud forest. Classified as Endangered due to extremely restricted range and ongoing deforestation.
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.