Blue-tailed Emerald vs Great Sapphirewing
Chlorostilbon mellisugus compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Blue-tailed Emerald | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chlorostilbon mellisugus | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 9.0 cm (3.5 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 2.6466666666666665 g (0.09 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore visiting diverse flowering plants; supplements the high-sugar nectar diet with small insects and 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
Blue-tailed Emerald
Pure, flute-like descending scale; smooth melodic phrase moving cleanly through several notes, warm in timbre.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Blue-tailed Emerald
Widely distributed from Colombia and Venezuela through the Guianas to Trinidad and Tobago. Resident in varied lowland habitats.
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
Blue-tailed Emerald
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Blue-tailed Emerald
A small hummingbird (7-8 cm) widely distributed from Colombia and Venezuela through the Guianas to Trinidad and Tobago. Bright green plumage with a blue tail. Nectarivore of forest edges, gardens, and open habitats. One of the most common emeralds 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.