Buff-tailed Coronet vs Great Sapphirewing
Boissonneaua flavescens compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Buff-tailed Coronet | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Boissonneaua flavescens | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 15.0 cm (5.9 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 8.033333333333333 g (0.28 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Andean cloud forest; visits Ericaceae and Fuchsia blooms. Aggressively defends territories; gleans 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
Buff-tailed Coronet
Soft, pure descending whistle; gentle note curving downward smoothly, warm and musical in cloud forest quiet.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Buff-tailed Coronet
Found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru to Bolivia. 1,600–3,000 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
Buff-tailed Coronet
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Buff-tailed Coronet
A medium-sized hummingbird (11-12 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Peru at 1,500-3,000 m. Green plumage with a buff-orange tail. Nectarivore of montane forest and edges. Named coronet for the green iridescence on the crown.
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.