Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Wedge-tailed Hillstar
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Oreotrochilus adela
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Wedge-tailed Hillstar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Oreotrochilus adela |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 7.8500000000000005 g (0.28 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Nectarivore of Andean inter-valley slopes; visits Chuquiraga and scattered shrub flowers. Catches small arthropods. |
| Clutch Size | 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.
Wedge-tailed Hillstar
Deep, resonant buzz with powerful carrying; low-frequency churring trill audible at impressive distance across open land.
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.
Wedge-tailed Hillstar
Endemic to Bolivia and adjacent Peru in high Andean puna and scrub at 2,800–4,400 m elevation.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Wedge-tailed Hillstar
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.
Wedge-tailed Hillstar
A medium-sized hummingbird (11-12 cm) endemic to the eastern Bolivian Andes at 2,700-4,200 m. Green plumage with a distinctive wedge-shaped tail. Nectarivore of puna scrub and cloud forest edges. A Bolivian near-endemic with a limited range.