Collared Inca vs Great Sapphirewing
Coeligena torquata compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Collared Inca | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coeligena torquata | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.8 cm (5.8 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 7.675000000000001 g (0.27 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Andean cloud forest; visits dense Ericaceae and Fuchsia patches. Catches small insects in … | 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
Collared Inca
Rapid, mechanical twittering cascade; quick staccato notes tumbling freely in animated sequence above mountain flowers.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Collared Inca
Widespread in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 1,500–3,200 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
Collared Inca
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Collared Inca
A medium-sized hummingbird (13-14 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Bolivia at 1,500-3,000 m. Green plumage with a distinctive white collar band. Nectarivore of montane forest and forest edges. One of the most recognizable Andean hummingbirds.
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.