Neblina Metaltail vs Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Metallura odomae compared with Nesophlox lyrura
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Neblina Metaltail | Lyre-tailed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Metallura odomae | Nesophlox lyrura |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.6 cm (4.6 in) | 8.0 cm (3.1 in) |
| Weight | 5.050000000000001 g (0.18 oz) | 2.425 g (0.09 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of northern Peruvian montane forest; visits Ericaceae and mossy shrub flowers. 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
Neblina Metaltail
High, thin twittering cascade; delicate light notes tumbling quickly in animated sequence during aerial display.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Sharp, emphatic chip note with metallic quality; single clean staccato sound repeated at measured intervals.
Geographic Range & Migration
Neblina Metaltail
Endemic to a restricted area of the Andes in northern Peru (Cajamarca and Amazonas) at 2,600–3,800 m elevation.
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Endemic to Jamaica. Resident in forests and gardens across the island from lowlands to highlands.
Conservation Status
Neblina Metaltail
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
How to Tell Them Apart
Neblina Metaltail
White-bellied Mountain-gem: males with iridescent violet gorget; metallic bronze-green above; white belly; females green above with 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
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.
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.