Mountain Velvetbreast vs Great Sapphirewing
Lafresnaya lafresnayi compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Mountain Velvetbreast | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lafresnaya lafresnayi | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 12.7 cm (5.0 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 5.6 g (0.20 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Colombian and Venezuelan Andean cloud forest; visits Ericaceae and Fuchsia. Gleans small arthropods … | 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
Mountain Velvetbreast
Sharp, staccato chips in rapid sequence; clean emphatic notes delivered with rising intensity near territorial dispute.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Mountain Velvetbreast
Found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 1,400–3,200 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
Mountain Velvetbreast
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Mountain Velvetbreast
A medium-sized hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Peru at 2,000-3,500 m. Males have a velvety black breast with green iridescence. Long, slightly decurved bill. Nectarivore of montane forest, visiting Ericaceae and Fuchsia flowers.
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.