Long-tailed Sylph vs Great Sapphirewing
Aglaiocercus kingii compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Long-tailed Sylph | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Aglaiocercus kingii | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.7 cm (4.6 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 5.25 g (0.19 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Andean cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and epiphyte blooms. Supplements diet with 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
Long-tailed Sylph
Melodic, flowing phrase with rich character; warm notes weaving in relaxed sequence typical of dawn chorus activity.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Long-tailed Sylph
Widespread in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 1,000–2,800 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
Long-tailed Sylph
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Long-tailed Sylph
A spectacular hummingbird (10 cm body + 13 cm tail in males) found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Bolivia at 1,500-3,000 m. Males have extraordinarily long, iridescent violet-blue outer tail feathers. Nectarivore of montane forest edges. A cloud forest icon.
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.