Rufous-throated Hummingbird vs Great Sapphirewing
Hylocharis sapphirina compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Rufous-throated Hummingbird | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hylocharis sapphirina | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 4.239999999999999 g (0.15 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore visiting diverse flowering plants; supplements the high-sugar nectar diet with small insects and spiders … | 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
Rufous-throated Hummingbird
Sharp, piercing screech with urgent character; sudden loud rough call given during aerial territorial chase.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Rufous-throated Hummingbird
Found in humid lowland forests from Colombia through Amazonia to Bolivia and Brazil. Resident in forest edges.
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
Rufous-throated Hummingbird
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Rufous-throated Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) found in humid lowland forests from Colombia through Amazonia to Bolivia and Brazil. Males have a rufous-red throat. Green plumage. Nectarivore of forest edges and river-edge habitats. Often confused with the similar Gilded Hummingbird.
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.