Wedge-tailed Hillstar vs Great Sapphirewing
Oreotrochilus adela compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Wedge-tailed Hillstar | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oreotrochilus adela | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.1 cm (5.2 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 7.8500000000000005 g (0.28 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Andean inter-valley slopes; visits Chuquiraga and scattered shrub flowers. Catches small arthropods. | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Wedge-tailed Hillstar
Deep, resonant buzz with powerful carrying; low-frequency churring trill audible at impressive distance across open land.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Wedge-tailed Hillstar
Endemic to Bolivia and adjacent Peru in high Andean puna and scrub at 2,800–4,400 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
Wedge-tailed Hillstar
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Wedge-tailed Hillstar
A medium-sized hummingbird (11-12 cm) endemic to the eastern Bolivian Andes at 2,700-4,200 m. Green plumage with a distinctive wedge-shaped tail. Nectarivore of puna scrub and cloud forest edges. A Bolivian near-endemic with a limited range.
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.