Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Brace's Emerald
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Riccordia bracei
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Brace's Emerald |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Riccordia bracei |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Extinct |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | — |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 3.54 g (0.12 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Extinct emerald; was a nectarivore of Bahamian scrub, likely visiting flowering shrubs and supplementing with … |
| Clutch Size | 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.
Brace's Emerald
Soft, melodic warbling with gentle rhythm; notes rising and falling in quiet unhurried phrase through shaded area.
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.
Brace's Emerald
Formerly endemic to New Providence Island, Bahamas. Extinct since the late 19th century. Known from a single 1877 specimen.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Brace's Emerald
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
Brace's Emerald
Green-bellied Hummingbird: males with brilliant green gorget and belly; metallic green above; females green above; spotted white below
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.
Brace's Emerald
An extinct hummingbird formerly endemic to New Providence Island, Bahamas. Known from a single specimen collected in 1877. Green plumage. Lost to habitat destruction and possibly predation by introduced mammals. No confirmed sightings since the 19th century.