Blue-throated Hillstar vs Great Sapphirewing
Oreotrochilus cyanolaemus compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Blue-throated Hillstar | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oreotrochilus cyanolaemus | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Critically Endangered | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 7.6 g (0.27 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore adapted to very high elevations; forages at Chuquiraga, Gentianella, and Puya flowers. Gleans 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
Blue-throated Hillstar
Buzzy, sustained trill with monotonous quality; continuous low-pitched vibration with little variation across prolonged delivery.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Blue-throated Hillstar
Endemic to the Cordillera de Chilla region of extreme southwestern Ecuador in high páramo. 3,200–4,200 m. Endangered.
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
Blue-throated Hillstar
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Blue-throated Hillstar
A recently discovered hummingbird (11 cm) from the southwestern Andes of Ecuador at 3,300-3,900 m. Males have an iridescent blue throat. Described in 2018. Known from a single ridgeline. Critically Endangered with a range estimated at less than 100 km2.
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.