Xantus's Hummingbird vs Great Sapphirewing
Basilinna xantusii compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Xantus's Hummingbird | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Basilinna xantusii | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 10.2 cm (4.0 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 3.525 g (0.12 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Endemic to Baja California; feeds on nectar from desert blooms and supplements with small insects … | 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
Xantus's Hummingbird
High, crystalline twittering with bright silvery quality; rapid light notes cascading freely in aerial display.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Xantus's Hummingbird
Endemic to the cape region of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Resident in dry scrub and thorn forest.
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
Xantus's Hummingbird
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Xantus's Hummingbird
A medium-sized hummingbird (9-10 cm) endemic to the cape region of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Green plumage with a rufous-chestnut breast and white eye-stripe. Nectarivore of dry scrub and thorn forest. A Baja California endemic named after Hungarian naturalist John Xantus.
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.