Blue-chinned Emerald vs Great Sapphirewing

Chlorestes notata compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Blue-chinned Emerald Great Sapphirewing
Scientific Name Chlorestes notata Pterophanes cyanopterus
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Trochilidae Trochilidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 21.0 cm (8.3 in)
Weight 4.0 g (0.14 oz) 10.05 g (0.35 oz)
Diet Nectarivore specialising in tubular blossoms; supplements the floral nectar diet with tiny insects and spiders … Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae …
Clutch Size 1-3 2
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Blue-chinned Emerald only

None

Great Sapphirewing only

Song & Call Comparison

Blue-chinned Emerald

Song

Loud, hollow booming call with resonant bass; deep carrying sound of this large turaco audible far across canopy.

Great Sapphirewing

Song

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

Geographic Range & Migration

Blue-chinned Emerald

Found in humid lowland forests from Colombia through the Guianas to Brazil and Trinidad. 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

Least Concern

Blue-chinned Emerald

Least Concern

Great Sapphirewing

About These Birds

Blue-chinned Emerald

A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) found in humid lowland forests from Colombia through the Guianas to Brazil and Trinidad. Green plumage with a blue chin spot. Nectarivore of forest edges and gardens. Widespread in northern South America.

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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