White-tailed Starfrontlet vs Great Sapphirewing
Coeligena phalerata compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | White-tailed Starfrontlet | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena phalerata | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.1 cm (5.6 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 6.1 g (0.22 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of restricted Colombian range; visits Ericaceae and bromeliads in humid cloud forest. Supplements with … | 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
White-tailed Starfrontlet
Melodic, two-note ascending whistle; pure first tone rising to brighter second, given with clear projection from perch.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
White-tailed Starfrontlet
Endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia, in cloud forest and forest edge. 1,800–3,000 m.
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
White-tailed Starfrontlet
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
White-tailed Starfrontlet
A medium-sized hummingbird (13-14 cm) endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia, at 1,800-3,000 m. Green plumage with white outer tail feathers. Nectarivore of montane forest. A Santa Marta endemic found nowhere else in the world.
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.