Lucifer Hummingbird vs Great Sapphirewing
Calothorax lucifer compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Lucifer Hummingbird | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Calothorax lucifer | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 7.9 cm (3.1 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 3.4000000000000004 g (0.12 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore specialising in agave and ocotillo blooms in Chihuahuan Desert. Supplements nectar 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
Lucifer Hummingbird
Buzzy, sustained trill with monotonous quality; low-pitched continuous vibration with little variation throughout.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Lucifer Hummingbird
Found in arid habitats from the southwestern United States to Honduras. Breeds in desert canyons; winters in central 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
Lucifer Hummingbird
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Lucifer Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) found in arid habitats from the southwestern United States to Honduras. Males have an iridescent magenta-purple gorget that extends down the throat like a flame. Long, decurved bill. Nectarivore of agave flowers and desert scrub.
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.