Gorgeted Sunangel vs Great Sapphirewing
Heliangelus strophianus compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Gorgeted Sunangel | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heliangelus strophianus | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.2 cm (5.2 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 5.3999999999999995 g (0.19 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean shrublands; hovers at dense Ericaceae clumps. Takes small arthropods gleaned from … | 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
Gorgeted Sunangel
High, thin whistle barely perceptible; delicate sustained note hovering near upper frequency limit of human hearing.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Gorgeted Sunangel
Found on the western Andean slope in Colombia and northwestern Ecuador in cloud forest. 1,600–2,800 m.
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
Gorgeted Sunangel
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Gorgeted Sunangel
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in cloud forests of western Colombia and Ecuador at 1,500-2,500 m. Males have a spectacular iridescent gorget with pink and violet hues. Nectarivore of epiphyte-rich cloud forest. Classified as Endangered due to 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.