Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Great-billed Hermit
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Phaethornis malaris
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Great-billed Hermit |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Phaethornis malaris |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | 11.8 cm (4.6 in) |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 6.4799999999999995 g (0.23 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Nectarivore trap-lining Heliconia patches in humid lowland forest. Supplements with arthropods for breeding protein demands. |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.
Great-billed Hermit
Melodic, two-note whistle repeated persistently; first note pure and high, second slightly lower, given every few seconds.
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.
Great-billed Hermit
Widespread in Amazonian lowlands from Colombia and the Guianas south through Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 0–800 m.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Great-billed Hermit
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
Great-billed Hermit
Festive Coquette: males with elongated black-tipped crest; iridescent green gorget; white collar band; females with plain rufous crown
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.
Great-billed Hermit
A large hermit hummingbird (15-17 cm), the largest in the genus, found in lowland Amazonian forests from Colombia to Brazil and Bolivia. Green plumage with a massive curved bill and long tail. Nectarivore of forest undergrowth, visiting large Heliconia flowers.