Lyre-tailed Hummingbird vs Buffy Helmetcrest
Nesophlox lyrura compared with Oxypogon stuebelii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Lyre-tailed Hummingbird | Buffy Helmetcrest |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nesophlox lyrura | Oxypogon stuebelii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 8.0 cm (3.1 in) | 11.1 cm (4.4 in) |
| Weight | 2.425 g (0.09 oz) | 5.4 g (0.19 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore probing tubular flowers in humid forest. Supplements nectar diet with small insects and spiders … | Nectarivore of high páramo and superparamo; visits sparse Espeletia and Chuquiraga flowers in harsh conditions. … |
| Clutch Size | 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.
Buffy Helmetcrest
Pure, sustained flute-like tone; single clear note held steadily then fading, warm and round in quiet forest shade.
Geographic Range & Migration
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Endemic to Jamaica. Resident in forests and gardens across the island from lowlands to highlands.
Buffy Helmetcrest
Endemic to the Ruiz-Tolima volcanic massif of Colombia in high páramo at 3,800–4,800 m. Locally common.
Conservation Status
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Buffy Helmetcrest
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
Buffy Helmetcrest
Purple-chested Hummingbird: males with brilliant iridescent violet-purple breast; metallic green above; females green with spotted below
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.
Buffy Helmetcrest
A small hummingbird (11-12 cm) endemic to the central Andes of Colombia at 3,500-4,500 m. Males have a striking erect crest and buffy beard. Nectarivore of high-altitude páramo, visiting Espeletia frailejón plants. Named after the German explorer Alphons Stübel.