Oaxaca Hummingbird vs Great Sapphirewing

Eupherusa cyanophrys compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Oaxaca Hummingbird Great Sapphirewing
Scientific Name Eupherusa cyanophrys Pterophanes cyanopterus
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Trochilidae Trochilidae
Conservation Status Endangered Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 11.7 cm (4.6 in) 21.0 cm (8.3 in)
Weight 4.725 g (0.17 oz) 10.05 g (0.35 oz)
Diet Hovering nectarivore of lowland and montane forest, probing Heliconia and garden 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

Shared Habitats

Oaxaca Hummingbird only

None

Great Sapphirewing only

Song & Call Comparison

Oaxaca Hummingbird

Song

Pure, sustained whistle with bell-like clarity; clear single note ringing out then slowly fading away.

Great Sapphirewing

Song

Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.

Geographic Range & Migration

Oaxaca Hummingbird

Endemic to the mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico. Classified as Endangered due to extremely small range.

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

Endangered

Oaxaca Hummingbird

Least Concern

Great Sapphirewing

About These Birds

Oaxaca Hummingbird

A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) endemic to the mountains of Oaxaca, southwestern Mexico. Green plumage with blue supercilium (eyebrow). Nectarivore of cloud forest and forest edges. Classified as Endangered due to extremely small range in the Sierra de Miahuatlán.

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.

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