Pink-throated Brilliant vs Great Sapphirewing
Heliodoxa gularis compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Pink-throated Brilliant | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heliodoxa gularis | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 12.8 cm (5.0 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 6.533333333333334 g (0.23 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian and Venezuelan cloud forest; forages at diverse Ericaceae and epiphyte blooms. Gleans … | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Pink-throated Brilliant
Melodic, flute-like descending phrase; smooth rich notes flowing warmly in relaxed quiet forest morning sequence.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Pink-throated Brilliant
Found on the eastern Andean slope of Colombia and Ecuador in cloud forest. 800–1,800 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
Pink-throated Brilliant
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Pink-throated Brilliant
A medium-sized hummingbird (11-12 cm) found in lowland and foothill forests from Colombia to Peru at 200-1,400 m. Males have a bright pink throat. Nectarivore of humid forest understory. An uncommon species of Andean foothills and adjacent lowlands.
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.