Purple-throated Mountain-gem vs Garnet-throated Hummingbird

The Purple-throated Mountain-gem male is distinguished by its purple gorget, while the Garnet-throated Hummingbird male features a garnet-colored throat. Female Purple-throated Mountain-gems have pale rufous underparts, unlike the Garnet-throated Hummingbird females. Both species are territorial nectarivores.

Check the throat color: Purple for Purple-throated Mountain-gem males, garnet for Garnet-throated Hummingbird males. Look at the underparts of females: Pale rufous in Purple-throated Mountain-gem females.

Male Purple-throated Mountain-gems have a purple gorget, whereas male Garnet-throated Hummingbirds display a garnet-colored throat. Female Purple-throated Mountain-gems have pale rufous underparts, a feature not shared by Garnet-throated Hummingbird females.

Both species are territorial nectarivores, supplementing their diet with insects.

Male Purple-throated Mountain-gems produce short bursts of insect-like trills.