White-bellied Mountain-gem vs Great Sapphirewing
Lampornis hemileucus compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | White-bellied Mountain-gem | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lampornis hemileucus | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 12.5 cm (4.9 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 5.6000000000000005 g (0.20 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of montane forest understory and edges; visits Ericaceae and Salvia blooms. Gleans small insects … | 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
White-bellied Mountain-gem
Melodic, two-note falling whistle; pure warm tones descending gently, given repeatedly from prominent perch.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
White-bellied Mountain-gem
Found in highland forest of Costa Rica and Panama on both slopes in cloud forest. 800–2,000 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
White-bellied Mountain-gem
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
White-bellied Mountain-gem
A medium-sized hummingbird (11-12 cm) endemic to the highlands of Costa Rica and western Panama at 1,200-2,500 m. Males green with white belly. Nectarivore of cloud forest and forest edges. One of several mountain-gem species endemic to Central American highlands.
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.