Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem vs Red-billed Streamertail
Lampornis amethystinus compared with Trochilus polytmus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem | Red-billed Streamertail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis amethystinus | Trochilus polytmus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | 11.8 cm (4.6 in) |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 4.9 g (0.17 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.
Red-billed Streamertail
Sharp, emphatic two-note call; high accented first note followed by lower brief second, clearly projected.
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-billed Streamertail
Endemic to Jamaica. National bird. Resident across the island in forests, gardens, and plantations at all elevations.
Conservation Status
Amethyst-throated Mountain-gem
Red-billed Streamertail
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
Red-billed Streamertail
Goliath Coucal: large; dark glossy black-brown above; rufous wings; dark streaked below; red eye; massive size; long graduated tail
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-billed Streamertail
A spectacular hummingbird (9-10 cm body + 15-18 cm tail streamers in males) endemic to Jamaica. Males have two extremely long, black tail feathers trailing behind in flight, a red bill, and iridescent green body. Jamaica's national bird. Nectarivore of forest and gardens.