Versicolored Emerald vs Great Sapphirewing
Chrysuronia versicolor compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Versicolored Emerald | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysuronia versicolor | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 3.5599999999999996 g (0.13 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Visits flowering trees and epiphytes for nectar; supplements diet with small arthropods including gnats, midges, … | 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
Versicolored Emerald
Thin, wavering sibilant trill; soft high buzzing with pulsing rhythm during slow courtship hovering display.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Versicolored Emerald
Found in open habitats from Venezuela through Brazil to Argentina. Resident in cerrado, gardens, and forest edges.
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
Versicolored Emerald
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Versicolored Emerald
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) found in open habitats from Venezuela through Brazil to Argentina. Variable green plumage with blue and white tones. Nectarivore of cerrado, gardens, and forest edges. Named for its variable, multicolored plumage.
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.