Mexican Sheartail vs Great Sapphirewing
Doricha eliza compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Mexican Sheartail | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Doricha eliza | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 7.7 cm (3.0 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 2.5 g (0.09 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of dry scrub and coastal dunes, visiting Agave and Ipomoea flowers. Supplements with insects … | 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
Mexican Sheartail
Melodic, three-note ascending call; pure warm tones stepping upward smoothly, given clearly from tall perch.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Mexican Sheartail
Endemic to the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico and Cozumel Island. Classified as Near Threatened due to habitat destruction.
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
Mexican Sheartail
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Mexican Sheartail
A tiny hummingbird (8-9 cm) endemic to the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico and Cozumel Island. Males have elongated, slender outer tail feathers. Nectarivore of coastal scrub and gardens. Classified as Near Threatened due to habitat destruction in its limited range.
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.