Mountain Avocetbill vs Great Sapphirewing
Opisthoprora euryptera compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Mountain Avocetbill | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Opisthoprora euryptera | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 12.6 cm (5.0 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 6.4 g (0.23 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high montane forest; upturned bill tip accesses pendant epiphyte flowers. Gleans small insects … | 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
Mountain Avocetbill
Thin, high-pitched twittering; delicate cascade of light notes with silvery quality delivered during aerial foraging.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Mountain Avocetbill
Found on both Andean slopes in Colombia and Ecuador in cloud forest at 2,000–3,200 m elevation. Uncommon.
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
Mountain Avocetbill
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Mountain Avocetbill
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) with a distinctive upturned bill tip, unique among hummingbirds. Green plumage. Found in Andean cloud forests from Colombia to Bolivia at 2,400-3,500 m. Nectarivore specializing in pendant flowers. The only member of its genus.
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.