Golden-breasted Puffleg vs Great Sapphirewing
Eriocnemis mosquera compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Golden-breasted Puffleg | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eriocnemis mosquera | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.6 cm (5.7 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 5.625 g (0.20 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Ecuadorian western Andes; visits dense Ericaceae blooms at mid-elevations. Takes small 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
Golden-breasted Puffleg
Sharp, emphatic chip note; single clean staccato sound repeated at intervals from prominent perch near nectar flowers.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Golden-breasted Puffleg
Found in high Andean páramo and upper cloud forest from Colombia to Ecuador at 2,800–4,000 m elevation.
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
Golden-breasted Puffleg
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Golden-breasted Puffleg
A small hummingbird (11-12 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Colombia to Ecuador at 2,500-3,500 m. Males have an iridescent golden breast and white leg puffs. Nectarivore of montane forest and páramo edges. An attractive and relatively conspicuous puffleg.
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.