Buff-winged Starfrontlet vs Great Sapphirewing
Coeligena lutetiae compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Buff-winged Starfrontlet | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena lutetiae | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 15.5 cm (6.1 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 7.025 g (0.25 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Peruvian montane Ericaceae-rich forest. Supplements nectar with small insects and spiders gleaned from … | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Buff-winged Starfrontlet only
None
Great Sapphirewing only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Buff-winged Starfrontlet
Deep, hollow churring with resonant character; prolonged buzzing sound vibrating persistently through Andean polylepis.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Buff-winged Starfrontlet
Found in high Andean cloud forests of Ecuador and Colombia at 2,400–3,600 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
Buff-winged Starfrontlet
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Buff-winged Starfrontlet
A medium-sized hummingbird (13-14 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Colombia to Peru at 2,400-3,500 m. Green plumage with buff-colored wing patches visible in flight. Nectarivore of montane forest and páramo edges.
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.