White-tufted Sunbeam vs Great Sapphirewing
Aglaeactis castelnaudii compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | White-tufted Sunbeam | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aglaeactis castelnaudii | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.8 cm (5.8 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 7.35 g (0.26 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Peruvian high-altitude scrub; forages at Chuquiraga and Ericaceae blooms. Supplements with small arthropods. | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
White-tufted Sunbeam
Melodic, pure ascending phrase; clear flute-like tones rising smoothly in quiet musical sequence at high altitude.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
White-tufted Sunbeam
Endemic to Peru in high Andean puna and scrub, primarily in the Apurímac and Ayacucho regions. 3,200–5,000 m.
Great Sapphirewing
Found in high Andean cloud forests and páramo from Colombia south through Ecuador and Peru to Bolivia. 2,400–3,800 m.
Conservation Status
White-tufted Sunbeam
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
White-tufted Sunbeam
A medium-sized hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in the Andes of Peru and Bolivia at 2,700-4,000 m. Coppery plumage with white breast tufts visible during courtship display. Nectarivore of montane scrub and Polylepis woodland. A Peruvian-Bolivian endemic.
Great Sapphirewing
A large hummingbird (18 cm, wingspan 28 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Colombia to Bolivia at 2,500-3,500 m. Brilliant sapphire-blue wings, green body, and long tail. One of the largest hummingbirds. Nectarivore of montane forest, visiting large-flowered Ericaceae.