Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Tyrian Metaltail
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Metallura tyrianthina
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Tyrian Metaltail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Metallura tyrianthina |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | 10.8 cm (4.3 in) |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 3.72 g (0.13 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Nectarivore of high Andean montane shrublands; specializes in Ericaceae and Brachyotum flowers. Catches small insects … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Tyrian Metaltail
Rough, raspy chatter with coarse texture; series of harsh notes with buzzy edges delivered emphatically from perch.
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.
Tyrian Metaltail
Widespread in Andean cloud forests and shrubby páramo from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 1,800–4,200 m.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Tyrian Metaltail
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.
Tyrian Metaltail
A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) widely distributed in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Bolivia at 1,500-3,500 m. Males have a glittering violet-purple rump and tail. Nectarivore of montane forest. One of the most common and widespread Andean hummingbird species.