Bronze-tailed Thornbill vs Great Sapphirewing
Chalcostigma heteropogon compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Bronze-tailed Thornbill | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chalcostigma heteropogon | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.1 cm (5.6 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 5.65 g (0.20 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean grasslands and shrublands; visits Ericaceae and Gentianaceae blooms. Gleans tiny arthropods. | 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
Bronze-tailed Thornbill
Deep, hollow churring with resonant bass; prolonged low buzzing audible at range through open forest edge.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Bronze-tailed Thornbill
Found in high Andean grassland and scrub from Venezuela through Colombia to Ecuador at 2,800–4,200 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
Bronze-tailed Thornbill
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Bronze-tailed Thornbill
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in Andean cloud forests and páramo edges from Venezuela to Peru at 2,500-3,800 m. Green plumage with bronze tail and purple throat (males). Nectarivore of high-altitude shrubs. The largest thornbill in the genus Chalcostigma.
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.