Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Red-tailed Comet
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Sappho sparganurus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Red-tailed Comet |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Sappho sparganurus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | 12.6 cm (5.0 in) |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 5.4 g (0.19 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Nectarivore of Andean high-altitude scrub; visits Chuquiraga and Ericaceae flowers. Catches small insects near blooms. |
| 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.
Red-tailed Comet
Pure, bell-like tones in descending sequence; clear musical notes stepping down smoothly with resonant ringing quality.
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.
Red-tailed Comet
Found in the Andes and Patagonian scrub of Argentina and Bolivia from 1,000–4,200 m. Partly migratory southward.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Red-tailed Comet
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.
Red-tailed Comet
A stunning hummingbird (15-22 cm including tail) found in dry inter-Andean valleys from Bolivia to northwestern Argentina at 2,000-4,500 m. Males have a deeply forked, iridescent red-orange tail. Nectarivore of arid scrub and cactus flowers. An iconic Andean species.