Brown Violetear vs Great Sapphirewing
Colibri delphinae compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Brown Violetear | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Colibri delphinae | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.6 cm (5.4 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 6.2 g (0.22 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore visiting a wide range of forest-edge and garden flowers. Aggressively defends patches of Salvia … | 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
Brown Violetear
High, thin twittering barely audible; delicate cascade of minute notes almost imperceptible in dense vegetation.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Brown Violetear
Found in humid forest from Guatemala south through Central America to western Ecuador and Bolivia, and across northern South America. 0–1,800 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
Brown Violetear
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Brown Violetear
A medium-sized hummingbird (11-12 cm) with dull brown plumage, unusual among hummingbirds. Found in humid forests from Guatemala through South America to Bolivia. Named for the violet ear patches visible in good light. Nectarivore of forest canopy and edges. Nomadic.
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.