Black-chinned Hummingbird vs Great Sapphirewing
Archilochus alexandri compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-chinned Hummingbird | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Archilochus alexandri | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 8.5 cm (3.3 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 3.6399999999999997 g (0.13 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Generalist nectarivore visiting a wide variety of western North American flowers. Gleans insects and spiders … | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Black-chinned Hummingbird only
Great Sapphirewing only
Song & Call Comparison
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Rapid, animated twittering with bright quality; light staccato notes cascading freely in cheerful sequence.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Found in western North America from British Columbia to Mexico. Breeds in open woodland; winters in western Mexico.
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
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Black-chinned Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) found in western North America from British Columbia to Mexico. Males have a black chin with iridescent purple border. Nectarivore of open woodland, gardens, and desert oases. Common at feeders across the western US during breeding season.
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.