Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Blue-headed Hummingbird
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Riccordia bicolor
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Blue-headed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Riccordia bicolor |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | — |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 4.55 g (0.16 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Nectarivore probing tubular flowers in humid forest. Supplements nectar diet with small insects and spiders … |
| 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.
Blue-headed Hummingbird
Melodic, rolling trill with bright bubbly quality; quick cheerful notes cascading pleasantly from prominent perch.
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.
Blue-headed Hummingbird
Found on Dominica and Martinique in the Lesser Antilles. Resident in montane forest and gardens on both islands.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Blue-headed 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
Blue-headed Hummingbird
Cinnamon Hummingbird: males with glittering green gorget; metallic green above; cinnamon underparts; females similar; monomorphic
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.
Blue-headed Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) found on Dominica and Martinique in the Lesser Antilles. Bright green plumage with a blue head (males). Nectarivore of montane forest and gardens. One of only two hummingbird species on each island.