Sapphire-spangled Emerald vs Great Sapphirewing
Chionomesa lactea compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Sapphire-spangled Emerald | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chionomesa lactea | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 4.333333333333333 g (0.15 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on floral nectar in forest understory, hovering at Heliconia and bromeliads. Supplements with spiders … | 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
Sapphire-spangled Emerald
Soft, liquid notes in gentle descending sequence; mellow flowing tones with subtle variation characteristic of species.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Sapphire-spangled Emerald
Found in eastern and southern Brazil and northeastern Argentina. Resident in Atlantic Forest edges and cerrado.
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
Sapphire-spangled Emerald
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Sapphire-spangled Emerald
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in eastern and southern Brazil and northeastern Argentina. Green plumage with sapphire-blue throat spots. Nectarivore of Atlantic Forest edges, cerrado, and gardens. Named for its sapphire-spangled throat.
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.