Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Fiery-throated Hummingbird
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Panterpe insignis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Fiery-throated Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Panterpe insignis |
| 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) | 6.1000000000000005 g (0.22 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Nectarivore of Costa Rican highland forest; visits Ericaceae and Fuchsia blooms at high elevations. Catches … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
None
Fiery-throated Hummingbird 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.
Fiery-throated Hummingbird
Rough, buzzy chatter with coarse texture; series of harsh notes delivered emphatically during competitive encounter.
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.
Fiery-throated Hummingbird
Endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama in cloud forest and páramo. 1,500–3,100 m.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Fiery-throated Hummingbird
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
Fiery-throated Hummingbird
Slender-tailed Woodstar (alt): males with iridescent purple gorget; metallic bronze-green; white pectoral tufts; females plain green
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.
Fiery-throated Hummingbird
A medium-sized hummingbird (11 cm) endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama at 1,400-2,500 m. Brilliantly multicolored: fiery orange throat, blue breast, green belly, and coppery tail. Nectarivore of cloud forest. One of the most colorful birds in the Americas.