Introduction
The Amethyst-throated Mountaingem (Lampornis amethystinus) is a medium-sized hummingbird of the highlands of Mexico and northern Central America. It inhabits montane forest, cloud forest and pine-oak woodland, where its green plumage and the male’s iridescent amethyst gorget provide distinctive field marks.
Physical Description
This hummingbird measures approximately 11.5–12.5 centimetres in length. Both sexes have dark green upperparts, a slightly decurved black bill, dark wings and tail, and a pale stripe behind the eye. The tail is broad and slightly forked, with paler tips on the outer feathers.
Adult males have a brilliant rosy-amethyst throat patch, or gorget, bordered behind by a pale buff to whitish stripe. The gorget can appear dark or almost disappear when the bird is viewed away from the light. The underparts are generally dark greyish to brownish.
Females lack the male’s bright gorget and have a much plainer, buff-coloured throat. Young birds are less strongly marked than adults, and immature males gradually develop the adult throat pattern as they mature. Plumage and size vary geographically among the recognised subspecies.
Range and Habitat
The species occurs from the mountains of central and eastern Mexico south through the highlands of Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. It is not normally regarded as a Costa Rican or Panamanian species. Several geographically distinct forms have been described, including populations in western and southern Mexico, Chiapas and northern Central America.
Amethyst-throated Mountaingems favour humid montane forest, cloud forest and adjoining pine-oak woodland. They are generally associated with upland habitats, commonly at roughly 1,200–3,000 metres, although the precise elevation varies across the range. They are considered resident rather than long-distance migratory, but local movements may occur in response to flowering conditions and seasonal changes in food availability.
Where to See This Species
Desierto de los Leones National Park, Mexico City, Mexico
The park’s high-elevation conifer and mixed montane forests provide suitable habitat, and the species is included in local bird records for Desierto de los Leones. Look along forest edges, clearings and flowering areas, particularly where mature woodland meets more open vegetation.
Nearby accommodation: Mexico City offers the widest choice of hotels, guest houses and self-catering accommodation, with access to the park from the western and south-western parts of the city.
Fuentes Georginas, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
Fuentes Georginas lies in the humid highlands near Zunil, surrounded by mountain forest and cloud-forest habitat. Birding records from the site have documented Amethyst-throated Mountaingems, making the forested trails and flowering areas around the thermal springs a realistic place to search.
Nearby accommodation: Quetzaltenango is the principal gateway, with hotels, guest houses, hostels and self-catering accommodation. Zunil also provides a smaller range of local lodging.
Parque Regional Municipal Todos Santos Cuchumatán, Huehuetenango, Guatemala
The Cuchumatán highlands contain extensive upland habitats and are recognised for their biological diversity. Amethyst-throated Mountaingems have been recorded near the Puerta del Cielo area, where forest patches, mountain scrub and open highland vegetation can be searched.
Nearby accommodation: Todos Santos Cuchumatán and Huehuetenango provide practical accommodation, including guest houses, small hotels and community-based lodging.
Behaviour and Diet
Amethyst-throated Mountaingems feed mainly on nectar from flowering plants. They also take small insects and spiders, often by sallying from a perch or searching foliage. Animal prey supplies protein and other nutrients that nectar alone cannot provide.
Like other hummingbirds, they can hover while feeding and defend profitable flowers or feeding patches from competitors. Males may perform aerial displays and produce complex vocalisations during territorial interactions and courtship. The species is generally encountered alone or in loose, temporary concentrations around abundant flowers rather than in permanent flocks.
Breeding activity is associated with periods of increased food availability in at least some parts of the range. The female builds the nest and undertakes incubation, while the male’s principal role is associated with territorial defence and courtship. The nest is a small cup made from plant fibres and other soft materials, often bound with spider silk and camouflaged with moss or lichen. A clutch usually contains two white eggs.
Identification Tips
- Look for a medium-sized, fairly robust hummingbird with dark green upperparts, a black slightly curved bill and a pale stripe behind the eye.
- An adult male is distinctive when the throat catches the light, revealing a vivid rosy-amethyst gorget.
- Females and immature birds are much plainer, with a buffy throat and no fully developed bright gorget.
- The species is associated with high-elevation forest and pine-oak habitat, which helps separate it from lowland hummingbirds.
- In areas where other mountaingems occur, compare the throat colour, the pale postocular stripe, the dark underparts and the bird’s geographic location. Identification of females can be more difficult than identification of adult males.
Conservation Status
The Amethyst-throated Mountaingem is currently assessed as Least Concern. Its broad distribution and occurrence across several countries reduce its immediate extinction risk, but the population size is not well quantified.
The principal concerns are the loss and fragmentation of montane forest, agricultural expansion, logging, fires and the effects of climate change on high-elevation habitats and flowering cycles. Protecting connected areas of cloud forest and pine-oak woodland, maintaining native flowering plants and managing protected highland reserves are important conservation measures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Amethyst-throated Mountaingem found?
It occurs in montane regions of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. Its range extends from central and eastern Mexico through the highlands of northern Central America.
Is the Amethyst-throated Mountaingem migratory?
It is generally considered resident. Individuals may make local movements between elevations or habitats when flowering conditions and food availability change.
What does the Amethyst-throated Mountaingem eat?
Its diet consists mainly of nectar, supplemented by small insects and spiders. Nectar provides energy, while animal prey supplies protein and other nutrients.
How can a male be identified?
The adult male has dark green upperparts and a bright rosy-amethyst throat patch. The gorget may look dull or dark when it is not reflecting light, so the pale stripe behind the eye and the bird’s montane habitat are also useful clues.
Where is a good place to look for this species?
Documented viewing locations include Desierto de los Leones National Park in Mexico and Fuentes Georginas and the Todos Santos Cuchumatán highlands in Guatemala. Search forest edges, flowering plants and sheltered trails in suitable upland habitat.
Does the female build the nest?
Yes. The female is responsible for nest construction and incubation. The male is mainly involved in courtship and territorial behaviour.
References
- BirdLife International
- IOC World Bird List
- The Auk
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