Purple-crowned Fairy vs Great Sapphirewing
Heliothryx barroti compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Purple-crowned Fairy | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Heliothryx barroti | 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 | 5.48 g (0.19 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore specializing in high canopy flowers and bromeliads. Pierces flower bases to rob nectar; supplements … | 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
Purple-crowned Fairy
Buzzy, insect-like trill sustained monotonously; continuous high-frequency vibration with little dynamic range throughout.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Purple-crowned Fairy
Found in lowland humid forest from southern Mexico through Central America to western Ecuador and western Colombia. 0–800 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
Purple-crowned Fairy
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Purple-crowned Fairy
A slender, elegant hummingbird (11-13 cm) with a long, deeply forked tail. Green upperparts, purple crown, and immaculate white underparts. Found in humid forests from southern Mexico to western Ecuador. Nectarivore of forest canopy. Named fairy for its delicate, floating flight.
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.