Amethyst-throated Mountaingem
Lampornis amethystinus
The Amethyst-throated Mountaingem (Lampornis amethystinus) is a rare hummingbird found in 6 countries, weighing about 5 g. The amethyst-throated mountaingem, also called amethyst-throated mountain-gem or amethyst-throated hummingbird, is a species of hummingbird in tribe Lampornithini of subfamily Trochilinae.
About the Amethyst-throated Mountaingem
The amethyst-throated mountaingem, also called amethyst-throated mountain-gem or amethyst-throated hummingbird, is a species of hummingbird in tribe Lampornithini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The amethyst-throated mountaingem is 11.5 to 12.5 cm (4.5 to 4.9 in) long. Males weigh 5 to 7.8 g (0.18 to 0.28 oz) and females 5 to 5.8 g (0.18 to 0.20 oz). Both sexes of all subspecies have a medium-length straight black bill, dark auriculars, a whitish stripe behind the eye, and a broad slightly forked tail. Adult males of the nominate subspecies have a dark green crown and back, a bronze rump, and blackish uppertail coverts. The tail is black with gray tips on the outer feathers. It has a brilliant rosy pink gorget. The breast and belly are dusky gray and the undertail coverts pale buff. Voice: The amethyst-throated mountaingem's song is "a quiet chatter made up of a two-syllable introductory phrase followed by a mixture of notes arranged into very complex vocalizations." It may have up to nine complex phrases, and both males and females sing. Both sexes also make a feeding call, "a persistent buzzing sound".
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Canada, United States.
When to see it
The Amethyst-throated Mountaingem can be seen all year round, with peak activity in January. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify an Amethyst-throated Mountaingem?
- The amethyst-throated mountaingem is 11.5 to 12.5 cm (4.5 to 4.9 in) long. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is an Amethyst-throated Mountaingem?
- The Amethyst-throated Mountaingem is a tiny sized bird weighing about 5 g.
- Where can you see an Amethyst-throated Mountaingem?
- The Amethyst-throated Mountaingem occurs in 6 countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.
- What birds look similar to an Amethyst-throated Mountaingem?
- The Amethyst-throated Mountaingem is most easily confused with the White-bellied Mountaingem, the Green-throated Mountaingem and the Green-breasted Mountaingem.
- Is the Amethyst-throated Mountaingem endangered?
- The Amethyst-throated Mountaingem is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Amethyst-throated Mountaingem for real
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