Rainbow Starfrontlet vs Great Sapphirewing
Coeligena iris compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Rainbow Starfrontlet | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena iris | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 16.0 cm (6.3 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 7.266666666666667 g (0.26 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Ecuadorian and Peruvian cloud forest; forages at Ericaceae and mossy shrub flowers. Takes … | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Rainbow Starfrontlet
Thin, sibilant trill sustained briefly; continuous high-frequency vibration then silence, barely perceptible in habitat.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Rainbow Starfrontlet
Found in cloud forests of southern Ecuador and northern Peru at 1,800–3,200 m elevation.
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
Rainbow Starfrontlet
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Rainbow Starfrontlet
A medium-sized hummingbird (13-14 cm) found in the Andes of Peru and Ecuador at 1,800-3,200 m. Males display rainbow-like iridescence on the forehead, flashing different colors as light angle changes. Nectarivore of montane forest and scrub.
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.