Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Neblina Metaltail

Lampornis amethystinus compared with Metallura odomae

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem Neblina Metaltail
Scientific Name Lampornis amethystinus Metallura odomae
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Trochilidae Trochilidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 13.1 cm (5.2 in) 11.6 cm (4.6 in)
Weight 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) 5.050000000000001 g (0.18 oz)
Diet Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. Nectarivore of northern Peruvian montane forest; visits Ericaceae and mossy shrub flowers. Supplements with small …
Clutch Size 2 2
Population Trend
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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only

None

Neblina Metaltail only

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Song & Call Comparison

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem

Song

Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.

Neblina Metaltail

Song

High, thin twittering cascade; delicate light notes tumbling quickly in animated sequence during aerial display.

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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.

Neblina Metaltail

Endemic to a restricted area of the Andes in northern Peru (Cajamarca and Amazonas) at 2,600–3,800 m elevation.

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem

Least Concern

Neblina Metaltail

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How to Tell Them Apart

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem

Plumage

Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted

Neblina Metaltail

Plumage

White-bellied Mountain-gem: males with iridescent violet gorget; metallic bronze-green above; white belly; females green above with spots

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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.

Neblina Metaltail

A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) endemic to the Andes of northern Peru at 2,700-3,500 m. Males have iridescent tail. Nectarivore of cloud forest. Named for the Cerros de Neblina region. A poorly known Peruvian endemic with a limited range.

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