Buff-thighed Puffleg vs Great Sapphirewing
Haplophaedia assimilis compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Buff-thighed Puffleg | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Haplophaedia assimilis | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.4 cm (4.5 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 5.05 g (0.18 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Peruvian montane forest; forages at Ericaceae and bromeliads. Supplements diet with small arthropods. | 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
Buff-thighed Puffleg
Melodic, two-note descending call; pure warm tones stepping down smoothly, given at regular intervals from perch.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Buff-thighed Puffleg
Found on the eastern Andean slope in Peru in lower montane and foothill forest. 600–2,200 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
Buff-thighed Puffleg
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Buff-thighed Puffleg
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Peru to Bolivia at 1,000-2,500 m. Green plumage with buff-colored leg puffs. Nectarivore of montane forest undergrowth and edges. Closely related to Greenish Puffleg. An Andean foothill specialist.
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.