Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs White-bearded Helmetcrest
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Oxypogon lindenii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | White-bearded Helmetcrest |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Oxypogon lindenii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | 14.4 cm (5.7 in) |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 4.8 g (0.17 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Nectarivore restricted to high Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta páramo. Visits sparse Espeletia blooms; supplements … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
None
White-bearded Helmetcrest only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
White-bearded Helmetcrest
Soft, melodic ascending call; gentle pure tones rising gradually in unhurried musical sequence at forest edge.
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.
White-bearded Helmetcrest
Endemic to the Venezuelan Andes of Mérida in high páramo at 3,000–4,600 m. Restricted range.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
White-bearded Helmetcrest
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.
White-bearded Helmetcrest
A small hummingbird (11-12 cm) endemic to the Andes of western Venezuela (Mérida and Trujillo) at 3,500-4,700 m. Males have a white beard and erect crest. Nectarivore of páramo, visiting Espeletia frailejón. A Venezuelan highland endemic.