Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Blue-tailed Hummingbird
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Saucerottia cyanura
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Blue-tailed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Saucerottia cyanura |
| 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) | 4.35 g (0.15 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
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-tailed Hummingbird
Soft, pure whistle with plaintive character; gentle wavering tone given quietly in shaded understory.
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-tailed Hummingbird
Found in humid forests from Mexico to Costa Rica at 300-1,500 m. Resident on both Pacific and Caribbean slopes.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Blue-tailed 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-tailed Hummingbird
Kai Coucal: dark brown above with iridescent sheen; rufous wings; pale buff below; long dark tail; orange-red eye; island species
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-tailed Hummingbird
A medium-sized hummingbird (9-10 cm) found in humid forests from Mexico to Costa Rica at 300-1,500 m. Green plumage with a blue tail. Nectarivore of forest edges and gardens. Found on both Pacific and Caribbean slopes of Central America.