Black-thighed Puffleg vs Great Sapphirewing
Eriocnemis derbyi compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-thighed Puffleg | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eriocnemis derbyi | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.2 cm (4.4 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 5.25 g (0.19 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian Andes; visits dense Ericaceae patches at high elevations. 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
Black-thighed Puffleg
Rapid, buzzy trill with slightly harsh quality; quick series of rough notes given persistently near territorial boundaries.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Black-thighed Puffleg
Found in high Andean cloud forests and páramo from Colombia south through Ecuador to northern Peru. 2,400–3,600 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
Black-thighed Puffleg
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Black-thighed Puffleg
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Colombia to Ecuador at 2,500-3,200 m. Green plumage with black thigh feathers and white leg puffs. Nectarivore of cloud forest and forest edges. Classified as Near Threatened due to habitat loss.
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.