Lyre-tailed Hummingbird vs Red-billed Streamertail
Nesophlox lyrura compared with Trochilus polytmus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Lyre-tailed Hummingbird | Red-billed Streamertail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Nesophlox lyrura | Trochilus polytmus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 8.0 cm (3.1 in) | 11.8 cm (4.6 in) |
| Weight | 2.425 g (0.09 oz) | 4.9 g (0.17 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore probing tubular flowers in humid forest. Supplements nectar diet with small insects and spiders … | Visits flowering trees and epiphytes for nectar; supplements diet with small arthropods including gnats, midges, … |
| 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.
Red-billed Streamertail
Sharp, emphatic two-note call; high accented first note followed by lower brief second, clearly projected.
Geographic Range & Migration
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Endemic to Jamaica. Resident in forests and gardens across the island from lowlands to highlands.
Red-billed Streamertail
Endemic to Jamaica. National bird. Resident across the island in forests, gardens, and plantations at all elevations.
Conservation Status
Lyre-tailed Hummingbird
Red-billed Streamertail
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
Red-billed Streamertail
Goliath Coucal: large; dark glossy black-brown above; rufous wings; dark streaked below; red eye; massive size; long graduated tail
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.
Red-billed Streamertail
A spectacular hummingbird (9-10 cm body + 15-18 cm tail streamers in males) endemic to Jamaica. Males have two extremely long, black tail feathers trailing behind in flight, a red bill, and iridescent green body. Jamaica's national bird. Nectarivore of forest and gardens.