Long-billed Starthroat vs Great Sapphirewing
Heliomaster longirostris compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Long-billed Starthroat | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heliomaster longirostris | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.7 cm (4.6 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 6.540000000000001 g (0.23 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of lowland and foothill open habitats; visits diverse flowers at forest edges and clearings. … | 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
Long-billed Starthroat
Soft, liquid notes cascading gently; mellow flowing sequence with subtle variation characteristic of Andean forest species.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Long-billed Starthroat
Widespread from southern Mexico through Central America to Bolivia, Brazil, and Trinidad. Prefers open habitats. 0–1,200 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
Long-billed Starthroat
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Long-billed Starthroat
A medium-sized hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in humid forests from southern Mexico to Bolivia and Brazil. Long, slightly decurved bill. Green plumage with a glittering blue-purple throat. Nectarivore of forest canopy and edges. Widespread Neotropical species.
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.