Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Scaly-breasted Sabrewing
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Phaeochroa cuvierii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Scaly-breasted Sabrewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Phaeochroa cuvierii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | — |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 8.959999999999999 g (0.32 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Visits flowering trees and epiphytes for nectar; supplements diet with small arthropods including gnats, midges, … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only
None
Scaly-breasted Sabrewing 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.
Scaly-breasted Sabrewing
Sharp, emphatic chip note with bright projection; single clean staccato sound repeated persistently near territory.
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.
Scaly-breasted Sabrewing
Found in humid forests from Guatemala to Colombia and Venezuela. Resident in lowland forest undergrowth and edges.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Scaly-breasted Sabrewing
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
Scaly-breasted Sabrewing
Lesser Ground-cuckoo: rufous below; brown-barred above; blue orbital ring; long broad tail; blue eye ring; tropical ground dweller
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.
Scaly-breasted Sabrewing
A large hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in humid forests from Guatemala to Colombia and Venezuela. Green plumage with a scaly breast pattern. Large bill. Nectarivore of forest undergrowth and edges, visiting banana flowers. The only member of its genus.