Violet-throated Metaltail vs Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Metallura baroni comparé à Archilochus colubris

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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribut Violet-throated Metaltail Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Nom scientifique Metallura baroni Archilochus colubris
Ordre Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Famille Trochilidae Trochilidae
Statut de conservation Vulnerable Least Concern
Longueur 8,5 cm (3.3 in)
Envergure 11,4 cm (4.5 in) 11,0 cm (4.3 in)
Poids 4,4 g (0.16 oz) 3,1 g (0.11 oz)
Régime alimentaire Nectarivore of Ecuadorian treeline vegetation; specialized for Ericaceae blooms above 3000 m. Catches small arthropods. Nectar from tubular flowers, supplemented with small insects and spiders for protein. Feeds at over …
Taille de la couvée 2 2
Population Trend
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Size Comparison

Body Length
Violet-throated Metaltail
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 8,5 cm
Envergure
Violet-throated Metaltail 11,4 cm
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 11,0 cm
Poids
Violet-throated Metaltail 4,4 g
Ruby-throated Hummingbird 3,1 g
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Habitat Comparison

Habitats partagés

Violet-throated Metaltail only

Ruby-throated Hummingbird only

Aucun(e)

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Deciduous and mixed forests, woodland edges, gardens, and parks with flowering plants. Migrates across the Gulf of Mexico.

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Song & Call Comparison

Violet-throated Metaltail

Chant

Melodic, flute-like phrase with clear quality; smooth notes flowing pleasantly in quiet sequence at forest edge.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Chant

Soft, high-pitched chattering and twittering 'chee-dit'. Also produces a thin 'tik' call in flight. Wing beats create an audible high-pitched humming buzz during hovering.

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Geographic Range & Migration

Violet-throated Metaltail

Endemic to a tiny area in the Cajas plateau region of southwestern Ecuador. 3,000–4,200 m. Critically endangered.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Eastern North America from southern Canada to the Gulf Coast. Winters in Central America and southern Mexico.

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Statut de conservation

Vulnerable

Violet-throated Metaltail

Least Concern

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

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How to Tell Them Apart

Violet-throated Metaltail

Plumage

Green-throated Mountain-gem: males with glittering green gorget; metallic green above; white underparts; females green above; spotted

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Plumage

Metallic green upperparts and greyish-white underparts. Males have a brilliant iridescent ruby-red gorget that appears black in poor light. Females lack the gorget.

Bec

Long, straight, thin black bill adapted for probing flowers

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About These Birds

Violet-throated Metaltail

A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) endemic to the Andes of southern Ecuador at 2,500-3,500 m. Males have a violet-purple throat. Nectarivore of cloud forest and páramo edges. Classified as Endangered due to limited range. Named after Baron Erich von Baroni.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

The ruby-throated hummingbird is the only breeding hummingbird in eastern North America. These tiny birds beat their wings about 53 times per second and can fly backwards, sideways, and even briefly upside down. They make an extraordinary non-stop 800 km crossing of the Gulf of Mexico during migration.

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