Swallow-tailed Hummingbird vs Great Sapphirewing
Eupetomena macroura compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Swallow-tailed Hummingbird | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eupetomena macroura | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.9 cm (5.5 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 7.94 g (0.28 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Large, conspicuous nectarivore of Brazilian cerrado and gardens. Feeds at Erythrina and diverse blossoms; supplements … | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Swallow-tailed Hummingbird only
None
Great Sapphirewing only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Swallow-tailed Hummingbird
High, crystalline twittering with silvery sheen; rapid light notes cascading brightly in animated display.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Swallow-tailed Hummingbird
Found in open habitats across eastern South America from the Guianas to Argentina. Resident in cerrado and gardens.
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
Swallow-tailed Hummingbird
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Swallow-tailed Hummingbird
A large hummingbird (15-17 cm) found in open habitats across eastern South America from the Guianas to Argentina. Iridescent blue-green plumage with a deeply forked, swallow-like tail. Nectarivore of gardens, cerrado, and forest edges. Often seen perching conspicuously on exposed branches.
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.