Hoary Puffleg vs Great Sapphirewing
Haplophaedia lugens compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Hoary Puffleg | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Haplophaedia lugens | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 12.9 cm (5.1 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 6.9 g (0.24 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian and Ecuadorian cloud forest; forages at diverse Ericaceae blooms. Gleans 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
Hoary Puffleg
Sharp, crackling chatter with energetic delivery; rapid dry notes tumbling quickly in vigorous territorial exchange.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Hoary Puffleg
Found on the Pacific slope from Panama south through Colombia and Ecuador in cloud forest. 800–2,200 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
Hoary Puffleg
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Hoary Puffleg
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in cloud forests of the western Andes of Colombia and Ecuador at 1,200-2,400 m. Dark green plumage with white leg puffs. Nectarivore of wet, mossy cloud forest. Classified as Near Threatened due to Chocó forest 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.