Lyre-tailed Hummingbird vs Andean Hillstar
Nesophlox lyrura compared with Oreotrochilus estella
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Lyre-tailed Hummingbird | Andean Hillstar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nesophlox lyrura | Oreotrochilus estella |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 8.0 cm (3.1 in) | 14.4 cm (5.7 in) |
| Weight | 2.425 g (0.09 oz) | 8.299999999999999 g (0.29 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore probing tubular flowers in humid forest. Supplements nectar diet with small insects and spiders … | Nectarivore of high-altitude puna and páramo; specializes in Chuquiraga and Puya flowers. Catches small insects … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Sharp, emphatic chip note with metallic quality; single clean staccato sound repeated at measured intervals.
Andean Hillstar
High, wavering trill with trembling quality; rapid series of notes with slight pitch modulation giving vibrato effect.
Geographic Range & Migration
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Endemic to Jamaica. Resident in forests and gardens across the island from lowlands to highlands.
Andean Hillstar
Widespread in Andean puna of southern Peru, Bolivia, and northwestern Argentina at 3,000–5,000 m. Resident.
Conservation Status
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Andean Hillstar
How to Tell Them Apart
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Mexican Woodnymph: males with glittering violet gorget; metallic green above; white flanks; females green above; spotted white below
Andean Hillstar
Santa Marta Woodstar: tiny; males with brilliant magenta-red gorget; metallic green crown; white underparts; females green above with spots
About These Birds
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.
Andean Hillstar
A medium-sized hummingbird (12-14 cm) found in the high Andes from Peru to Argentina and Chile at 3,500-5,000 m. Green plumage with a white breast. One of the highest-living hummingbird species, entering torpor at night to survive freezing temperatures. Nectarivore of Chuquiraga and cacti.