Viridian Metaltail vs Great Sapphirewing
Metallura williami compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Viridian Metaltail | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Metallura williami | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.5 cm (4.5 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 4.6 g (0.16 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Ecuadorian and Colombian montane shrubs; visits Brachyotum and Ericaceae. Gleans tiny insects from … | 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
Viridian Metaltail
Sharp, emphatic chip repeated rapidly; clean staccato note with forceful attack given insistently near territory.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Viridian Metaltail
Found in cloud forests and páramo of Colombia and Ecuador on both Andean slopes. 2,400–4,000 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
Viridian Metaltail
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Viridian Metaltail
A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Colombia to Ecuador at 2,000-3,500 m. Males have a glittering green tail. Nectarivore of montane forest edges and flowering shrubs. Named after the British naturalist M.C. William.
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.