Costa's Hummingbird vs Great Sapphirewing
Calypte costae compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Costa's Hummingbird | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Calypte costae | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 8.9 cm (3.5 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 3.4000000000000004 g (0.12 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Mojave Desert scrub, favouring desert lavender and sage. Supplements nectar with insects and … | 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
Costa's Hummingbird only
Great Sapphirewing only
Song & Call Comparison
Costa's Hummingbird
Melodic, flute-like ascending scale; smooth bright notes climbing steadily in cheerful morning territorial delivery.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Costa's Hummingbird
Found in arid western North America from California to Mexico. Breeds in desert scrub; some populations resident year-round.
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
Costa's Hummingbird
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Costa's Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) of arid western North America from California to Mexico. Males have a brilliant iridescent purple crown and gorget that extends along the sides of the neck. Nectarivore of desert scrub and gardens. Thrives in extreme desert heat.
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.