Orange-throated Sunangel vs Great Sapphirewing
Heliangelus mavors compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Orange-throated Sunangel | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heliangelus mavors | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 12.7 cm (5.0 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 4.15 g (0.15 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of montane Ericaceae and epiphyte flowers. Supplements nectar with small arthropods gleaned near blooms. | 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
Orange-throated Sunangel
Rapid, mechanical clicking trill; quick staccato notes strung evenly in dry sequence typical of swift species.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Orange-throated Sunangel
Endemic to the eastern Andes of Colombia and northwestern Venezuela in cloud forest. 1,800–2,800 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
Orange-throated Sunangel
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Orange-throated Sunangel
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in cloud forests of Venezuela and Colombia at 1,500-3,000 m. Males have an iridescent orange throat gorget. Green plumage. Nectarivore of montane forest undergrowth and edges. An Andean highland 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.