Shining Sunbeam vs Great Sapphirewing
Aglaeactis cupripennis compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Shining Sunbeam | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aglaeactis cupripennis | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 16.3 cm (6.4 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 7.540000000000001 g (0.27 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean páramo and puna; visits Chuquiraga, Puya, and Ericaceae flowers. Catches small … | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Shining Sunbeam
Soft, sibilant twittering with silvery quality; high, airy notes cascading gently near high-altitude Polylepis flowers.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Shining Sunbeam
Widespread in Andean cloud forests and shrubby páramo from Colombia south through Ecuador and Peru to Bolivia. 2,000–4,300 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
Shining Sunbeam
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Shining Sunbeam
A medium-sized hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Colombia to Bolivia at 2,500-3,800 m. Coppery-bronze plumage that shines with iridescent sunbeam-like reflections. Nectarivore of montane forest edges and páramo shrubs.
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.