Magenta-throated Woodstar vs Ruby-throated Hummingbird

In short

The Magenta-throated Woodstar and Ruby-throated Hummingbird can be distinguished by their throat color and tail length. The male Magenta-throated Woodstar has a glittering purple gorget and a long tail, while the male Ruby-throated Hummingbird sports a bright ruby-red throat and a relatively shorter tail. Both species are small hummingbirds with green upperparts.

Identification tips

• Throat color: Look for the glittering purple gorget in male Magenta-throated Woodstars and the ruby-red throat in male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.
• Tail length: Note the longer tail in Magenta-throated Woodstars compared to the shorter tail of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds.
• Habitat: Consider the elevation and type of habitat; Magenta-throated Woodstars prefer higher elevations in wooded areas.
• Sex and age: Be cautious with females and juveniles, as they can be more challenging to differentiate.

Size

Both species are small hummingbirds, but the Magenta-throated Woodstar may appear slightly bulkier due to its longer tail.

Plumage

Male Magenta-throated Woodstars have a glittering purple gorget and long tails, whereas male Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have a bright ruby-red throat with a shorter tail. Females of both species are more similar, with green upperparts and whitish underparts, but the Magenta-throated female has more rufous and white spotting on the flanks.

Behaviour

Both species exhibit typical hummingbird behavior, hovering at flowers to feed on nectar. There are no significant behavioral differences noted between the two.

Habitat

Magenta-throated Woodstars are found in wooded areas between 700 and 1850 meters, while Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are more widespread across North America, often found in gardens and open woodlands.

Voice

There are no specific vocalization differences noted between the two species in the sources.