Black-tailed Trainbearer vs Great Sapphirewing
Lesbia victoriae compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-tailed Trainbearer | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lesbia victoriae | 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 | 4.9 g (0.17 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Andean dry inter-valley scrub; visits Salvia, Lupinus, and Calceolaria. Supplements with small arthropods. | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Black-tailed Trainbearer only
None
Great Sapphirewing only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Black-tailed Trainbearer
Sharp, crackling trill with percussive edge; rapid dry notes delivered forcefully near active competitive territory.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Black-tailed Trainbearer
Found in high Andean scrub and open habitats from Colombia south through Ecuador and Peru to Bolivia. 2,500–4,200 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
Black-tailed Trainbearer
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Black-tailed Trainbearer
A spectacular hummingbird (10 cm body + 15 cm tail in males) found in Andean highlands from Colombia to Peru at 2,500-4,000 m. Males have extraordinarily long, black outer tail streamers. Nectarivore of páramo and cloud forest edges. Named for its dramatic trailing tail feathers.
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.