White-chinned Sapphire vs Great Sapphirewing
Chlorestes cyanus compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | White-chinned Sapphire | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chlorestes cyanus | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 3.35 g (0.12 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on nectar from flowering shrubs and epiphytes. Catches small insects and spiders to meet … | 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
White-chinned Sapphire
Pure, bell-like descending phase; clear resonant tones stepping smoothly down in musical evening sequence.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
White-chinned Sapphire
Found in humid lowland forests from Colombia through the Guianas to Amazonia and Brazil. Resident.
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
White-chinned Sapphire
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
White-chinned Sapphire
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) found in humid lowland forests from Colombia through the Guianas to Amazonia and Brazil. Green plumage with a blue or white chin. Nectarivore of forest canopy and edges. Named sapphire for the blue chin.
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.