Green-fronted Lancebill vs Great Sapphirewing
Doryfera ludovicae compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Green-fronted Lancebill | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Doryfera ludovicae | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.5 cm (4.5 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 5.95 g (0.21 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore probing epiphyte flowers and bromeliads with long straight bill in montane forest. Supplements with … | 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
Green-fronted Lancebill
Rough, raspy chattering with energetic rhythm; series of coarse notes delivered rapidly near active foraging territories.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Green-fronted Lancebill
Found in Andean cloud forests from Costa Rica through Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru to Bolivia. 1,200–2,400 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
Green-fronted Lancebill
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Green-fronted Lancebill
A medium-sized hummingbird (11-12 cm) with a remarkably long, straight bill (40 mm). Green plumage with a violet-blue forehead. Found in Andean cloud forests from Costa Rica to Bolivia at 800-2,500 m. Named lancebill for its dagger-like bill used to pierce the base of long tubular flowers.
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.