Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Mountain Avocetbill
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Opisthoprora euryptera
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Mountain Avocetbill |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Opisthoprora euryptera |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | 12.6 cm (5.0 in) |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 6.4 g (0.23 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Nectarivore of high montane forest; upturned bill tip accesses pendant epiphyte flowers. Gleans small insects … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
Mountain Avocetbill only
Song & Call Comparison
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Mountain Avocetbill
Thin, high-pitched twittering; delicate cascade of light notes with silvery quality delivered during aerial foraging.
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.
Mountain Avocetbill
Found on both Andean slopes in Colombia and Ecuador in cloud forest at 2,000–3,200 m elevation. Uncommon.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Mountain Avocetbill
How to Tell Them Apart
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Bumblebee Hummingbird: tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted
Mountain Avocetbill
Cozumel Emerald: tiny; males with glittering magenta gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spots
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.
Mountain Avocetbill
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) with a distinctive upturned bill tip, unique among hummingbirds. Green plumage. Found in Andean cloud forests from Colombia to Bolivia at 2,400-3,500 m. Nectarivore specializing in pendant flowers. The only member of its genus.