Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Giant Hummingbird
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Patagona gigas
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Giant Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Patagona gigas |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | 27.1 cm (10.7 in) |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 18.925 g (0.67 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Nectarivore; world's largest hummingbird. Forages at Puya and Agave flowers, hovering briefly then perching. Catches … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
None
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
Giant 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.
Giant Hummingbird
Soft, lilting melody with flute-like purity; smooth notes weaving gently in pleasant 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.
Giant Hummingbird
Found along the Andes from Ecuador south through Peru and Bolivia to Argentina and Chile. 2,000–4,500 m. World's largest hummingbird.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Giant Hummingbird
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.
Giant Hummingbird
The world's largest hummingbird (21-23 cm, weight 18-24 g), roughly the size of a European Starling. Green-brown plumage. Found in open habitats along the Andes from Colombia to Chile and Argentina at 2,000-4,500 m. Nectarivore of cacti and large flowers. Unusually slow wingbeat for a hummingbird.