Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Violet-capped Woodnymph

Lampornis amethystinus compared with Thalurania glaucopis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem Violet-capped Woodnymph
Scientific Name Lampornis amethystinus Thalurania glaucopis
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Trochilidae Trochilidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 13.1 cm (5.2 in) 11.0 cm (4.3 in)
Weight 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) 4.78 g (0.17 oz)
Diet Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. Nectarivore of South Brazilian forest, visiting bromeliads and Heliconia. Supplements with insects and spiders.
Clutch Size 2 2
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem only

None

Violet-capped Woodnymph only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem

Song

Pure, sustained flute-like tone held steady; single clear note with barely perceptible vibrato in tropical shade.

Violet-capped Woodnymph

Song

Deep, hollow churr with resonant character; prolonged buzzing sound vibrating softly through tropical canopy.

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.

Violet-capped Woodnymph

Found in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina. Resident.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem

Least Concern

Violet-capped Woodnymph

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.

Violet-capped Woodnymph

A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina. Males have a violet-blue crown and green body. Nectarivore of forest and forest edges. Replaced by Fork-tailed Woodnymph in Amazonia.

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