Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Ecuadorian Hillstar
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Oreotrochilus chimborazo
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Ecuadorian Hillstar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Oreotrochilus chimborazo |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | 14.8 cm (5.8 in) |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 8.383333333333333 g (0.30 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Nectarivore of Ecuadorian highland páramo; visits Chuquiraga jussieui and Puya. Takes small insects on cold … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
Ecuadorian Hillstar 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.
Ecuadorian Hillstar
Harsh, grating screech with urgent tone; sudden loud rough call given sharply during aerial chase sequences.
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.
Ecuadorian Hillstar
Endemic to Chimborazo and neighboring volcanoes in Ecuador in high páramo at 3,500–5,200 m. Nationally iconic.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Ecuadorian 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.
Ecuadorian Hillstar
A medium-sized hummingbird (12-13 cm) endemic to the highlands of Ecuador at 3,500-5,200 m, notably on Chimborazo volcano. Males have a violet-blue hood and white breast. One of the world's highest-living birds, adapted to extreme altitude with enhanced oxygen-carrying capacity.