Bird Guide

Andean Emerald vs Berylline Hummingbird

Andean Emerald (Uranomitra franciae)

Andean Emerald

Uranomitra franciae

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The Andean emerald is 9 to 11 cm (3.5 to 4.3 in) long. Males weigh about 5.6 g (0.20 oz) and females about 5.3 g (0.19 oz). Both sexes of all subspecies have a straight to slightly decurved bill of medium length with a blackish maxilla and a coral red mandible with a dark tip. Adult males of the nominate subspecies U. f. franciae have a glittering violet-blue crown and glittering golden- to emerald green cheeks and neck. Their upperparts and flanks are light green to golden-green with a coppery tinge to the uppertail coverts. The center of their underparts is white. Voice: The Andean emerald has a quite variable song, typically described as "a repeated complex phrase of high-pitched squeaky whistles, trills and scratchy notes." It also makes "a high-pitched 'tsip'" call, and during social interactions "scratchy squeaky chatters".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Thomas Shahan · CC BY 2.0
Berylline Hummingbird (Saucerottia beryllina)

Berylline Hummingbird

Saucerottia beryllina

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The berylline hummingbird is 8 to 10 cm (3.1 to 3.9 in) long. Males weigh about 4.4 g (0.16 oz) and females about 4.0 g (0.14 oz). The bills of males of all subspecies have a black maxilla and a pinkish mandible with a black outer half. Adult males of the nominate subspecies S. b. beryllina have a bronze-green to coppery head, back and rump. Their uppertail coverts and tail are coppery to rufous. The bases of their primaries and secondaries are chestnut and show as a patch on the closed wing. Their underparts are glittering golden green. Voice: The berylline hummingbird's song is somewhat variable, "slightly gruff, high-pitched twittering notes lisping introductory notes...rendered 'ssi kirr-i-rr kirr-i-rr', 'sirrr, ki-ti ki-dik' or 'sssi-ir sssiir chit-chit chit-chit-chit...'." It also makes calls that are described as "a hard, buzzy 'dzzzzir' or 'drrzzzt', and a more liquid 'dzzzzrrt' that may be repeated several times".

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Ron Knight from Seaford, East Sussex, United Kingdom · CC BY 2.0

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Andean Emerald and Berylline Hummingbird.