Mexican Violetear vs Ruby-topaz Hummingbird

Mexican Violetear

Colibri thalassinus

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The Mexican violetear is roughly medium-sized by hummingbird standards. It averages around 9.7 to 12 cm (3.8 to 4.7 in) in total length. Its bill is black and mostly straight with only a slight downward curve and measures from 1.8 to 2.5 cm (0.71 to 0.98 in). The body mass can vary from 4.8 to 5.6 g (0.17 to 0.20 oz). Among standard measurements, the wing chord is 5.8 to 6.8 cm (2.3 to 2.7 in) and the tail is 3.5 to 4.3 cm (1.4 to 1.7 in). The bird has a wingspan of 12 cm. It is shining green above with a glittering violet ear-patch on the sides of its neck. Voice: Solitary males sing from above, exposed twigs in their territory every day. Their song is a monotonously repeated sharp and dry "tsu-tzeek" at a rate of about one call per second.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: jons2 at pdphoto.org · Public domain

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird

Chrysolampis mosquitus

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The ruby-topaz hummingbird is 8 to 9.5 cm (3.1 to 3.7 in) long and weighs 2.5 to 5 g (0.09 to 0.18 oz). Its almost straight, black bill is relatively short compared to those of most other hummingbirds. The male has dark brown upperparts with an olive gloss. Its crown and nape are glossy ruby red, and the throat and breast are usually iridescent golden though sometimes emerald green. The rest of the underparts are brown and the chestnut tail is tipped black. The female ruby-topaz hummingbird has bronze-green upperparts and pale grey underparts. Voice: The ruby-topaz hummingbird's song is "a doubled 'tliii...tliii...tliii'", which is usually given from a high perch.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: William Stephens · CC BY 4.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Mexican Violetear and Ruby-topaz Hummingbird.