White-sided Hillstar vs Great Sapphirewing
Oreotrochilus leucopleurus compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | White-sided Hillstar | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oreotrochilus leucopleurus | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 13.6 cm (5.4 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 6.6 g (0.23 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore foraging above treeline at sparse Ericaceae and Chuquiraga patches. 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
White-sided Hillstar
Melodic, ascending phrase with hopeful character; smooth pure tones rising steadily in clear musical progression at dawn.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
White-sided Hillstar
Found in the Andes and Patagonian steppe of Argentina and Chile from 1,000–4,000 m. Partly migratory.
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
White-sided Hillstar
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
White-sided Hillstar
A medium-sized hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in the southern Andes from Bolivia to Argentina at 2,500-4,500 m. Green plumage with white flanks. Nectarivore of puna grasslands and rocky slopes. Enters torpor nightly to survive cold Andean nights. Southern Andean near-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.