Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Calliope Hummingbird
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Selasphorus calliope
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Calliope Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Selasphorus calliope |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | 8.3 cm (3.3 in) |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 2.7633333333333336 g (0.10 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Smallest breeding bird in North America; feeds on mountain meadow nectar and supplements with small … |
| 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.
Calliope Hummingbird
Rough, coarse chatter with energetic delivery; rapid series of harsh notes tumbling quickly in vigorous exchange.
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.
Calliope Hummingbird
Breeds in mountain meadows of western North America from British Columbia to Utah. Long-distance migrant wintering in Mexico.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Calliope 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
Calliope Hummingbird
Violet-crowned Woodnymph: males with iridescent violet crown and gorget; metallic green above; females green above; spotted 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.
Calliope Hummingbird
A tiny hummingbird (7-8 cm), the smallest breeding bird in the United States. Males have an iridescent magenta-pink gorget. Breeds in mountain meadows of the western US and Canada. Long-distance migrant to Mexico. Named for its resemblance to the beautiful Calliope of Greek mythology.