Rufous-shafted Woodstar vs Great Sapphirewing
Chaetocercus jourdanii compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Rufous-shafted Woodstar | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chaetocercus jourdanii | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 7.0 cm (2.8 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 3.26 g (0.11 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Trinidad and northern South America, hovering at bromeliads and Heliconia. Supplements diet with … | 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
Rufous-shafted Woodstar
Deep, resonant single note with striking boldness; powerful tone ringing out clearly from exposed prominent perch.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Rufous-shafted Woodstar
Found in Andean highlands from Venezuela to Trinidad at 500-2,500 m elevation. Resident in montane forest edges and gardens.
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
Rufous-shafted Woodstar
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Rufous-shafted Woodstar
A tiny hummingbird (7-8 cm) found in Andean highlands from Venezuela to Trinidad at 500-2,500 m. Males have rufous wing-shafts visible in flight and a purple gorget. Nectarivore of forest edges, gardens, and open country. Named after its rufous wing feather shafts.
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.