Short-tailed Woodstar vs Great Sapphirewing
Myrmia micrura compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Short-tailed Woodstar | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Myrmia micrura | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 6.8 cm (2.7 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 2.1999999999999997 g (0.08 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Peruvian coastal scrub and lomas vegetation; visits small flowers. Catches tiny insects in … | 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
Short-tailed Woodstar
Rapid, light chips in cheerful animated sequence; bright staccato notes with buoyant quality near flowers.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Short-tailed Woodstar
Found in arid scrub and coastal desert of Peru and far northern Chile. Sea level to 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
Short-tailed Woodstar
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Short-tailed Woodstar
A tiny hummingbird (6-7 cm), one of the smallest birds in the world. Found in arid coastal Peru and Ecuador. Short tail, short bill, and tiny body. Nectarivore of desert scrub and dry woodland flowers. Weighs only 2-3 grams.
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.