Rufous-breasted Sabrewing vs Great Sapphirewing

Campylopterus hyperythrus compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Rufous-breasted Sabrewing Great Sapphirewing
Scientific Name Campylopterus hyperythrus Pterophanes cyanopterus
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Trochilidae Trochilidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 12.6 cm (5.0 in) 21.0 cm (8.3 in)
Weight 6.016666666666667 g (0.21 oz) 10.05 g (0.35 oz)
Diet Nectarivore of tepui cloud forest; feeds at bromeliads and flowering trees. Supplements 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

Rufous-breasted Sabrewing only

None

Great Sapphirewing only

Song & Call Comparison

Rufous-breasted Sabrewing

Song

Melodic, ascending scale of clear notes; bright flute-like tones climbing smoothly in pleasant morning song.

Great Sapphirewing

Song

Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.

Geographic Range & Migration

Rufous-breasted Sabrewing

Found in montane forests from Venezuela to Bolivia at 1,000-2,500 m elevation. Resident in Andean cloud 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

Least Concern

Rufous-breasted Sabrewing

Least Concern

Great Sapphirewing

About These Birds

Rufous-breasted Sabrewing

A large hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in montane forests from Venezuela to Bolivia at 1,000-2,500 m. Green plumage with a rufous breast. Thickened outer primaries. Nectarivore of cloud forest undergrowth, visiting Heliconia flowers.

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.

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