Peruvian Racket-tail vs Great Sapphirewing
Ocreatus peruanus compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Peruvian Racket-tail | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ocreatus peruanus | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 3.0 g (0.11 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Peruvian montane forest; forages at diverse Andean flowers. Supplements with small arthropods. | 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
Peruvian Racket-tail
Soft, sibilant hissing trill; gentle continuous buzz with pulsing quality during slow courtship hovering display.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Peruvian Racket-tail
Found on the eastern Andean slope in Peru in foothill and lower montane forest. 400–1,600 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
Peruvian Racket-tail
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Peruvian Racket-tail
A small hummingbird (8-10 cm plus tail rackets in males) found in Andean cloud forests of Peru at 1,500-2,500 m. Males have elongated tail rackets and white leg puffs. Recently split from Booted Racket-tail. Nectarivore of montane forest.
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.