Eastern Mountaineer vs Great Sapphirewing
Oreonympha nobilis compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Eastern Mountaineer | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oreonympha nobilis | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 16.0 cm (6.3 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 8.333333333333334 g (0.29 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Andean dry valley scrub; visits Cactaceae, Puya, and Chuquiraga flowers. Catches 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
Eastern Mountaineer
Harsh, nasal chatter with buzzy overtone; rough emphatic notes delivered rapidly with raw coarse texture.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Eastern Mountaineer
Endemic to Peru in the upper Apurímac and Urubamba drainages in arid high-altitude scrub. 2,500–4,000 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
Eastern Mountaineer
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Eastern Mountaineer
A medium-sized hummingbird (12-14 cm) endemic to the Andes of Peru at 2,800-4,500 m. Brown plumage with iridescent throat patch and long, forked tail. Nectarivore of puna scrub and Polylepis woodland. The only member of its genus. A Peruvian endemic.
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.