Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Crimson Topaz
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Topaza pella
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Crimson Topaz |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Topaza pella |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | 15.0 cm (5.9 in) |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 12.625 g (0.45 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mexican and Central American montane pine-oak forest; visits Ericaceae and Salvia. Gleans arthropods. | Nectarivore and insectivore; extracts nectar from trap-lining flowers and hawks small flying insects in forest … |
| 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.
Crimson Topaz
Rough, raspy chatter with intermittent clear whistles; complex mix of harsh and musical notes characteristic of active pairs.
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.
Crimson Topaz
Found in the Guiana Shield and Amazon basin from Colombia and Venezuela south to Peru and Brazil. Resident near rivers in lowland forest.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Crimson Topaz
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
Crimson Topaz
Spectacular male: deep crimson-red body with iridescent golden-green throat; elongated crossed central tail feathers; female green and cinnamon-buff; one of South America's most brilliantly coloured hummingbirds.
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.
Crimson Topaz
A spectacular, large hummingbird (18-20 cm including long tail) of northern South America. Male has glittering crimson-red throat and breast with a golden-green back. The largest hummingbird in its range. Nectarivore of lowland tropical forest canopy, visiting large flowers. Found in Venezuela, the Guianas, and northern Brazil.