Violet-crowned Hummingbird vs Great Sapphirewing
Leucolia violiceps compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Violet-crowned Hummingbird | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Leucolia violiceps | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 5.433333333333333 g (0.19 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on floral nectar in forest understory, hovering at Heliconia and bromeliads. Supplements with 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
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
Thin, reedy chip with soft quality; barely audible staccato note given from dense vegetative cover. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
Found in arid to semi-humid habitats from the southwestern United States to central Mexico. Partial migrant.
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
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Violet-crowned Hummingbird
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in arid to semi-humid habitats from the southwestern US to central Mexico. Males have a white breast and violet-blue crown. Nectarivore of oak woodland, desert oases, and gardens. Visits feeders in the southwestern US.
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.