Green-headed Hillstar vs Great Sapphirewing
Oreotrochilus stolzmanni compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Green-headed Hillstar | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Oreotrochilus stolzmanni | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 14.5 cm (5.7 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 8.016666666666667 g (0.28 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Peruvian high puna; visits Chuquiraga and Lupinus blooms. Supplements with small flies and … | 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
Green-headed Hillstar
Soft, pure descending whistle; gentle single note curving downward smoothly, warm and musical in quiet forest.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Green-headed Hillstar
Found on the western Andean slope and coastal desert hills of Peru at 1,500–3,600 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
Green-headed Hillstar
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Green-headed Hillstar
A medium-sized hummingbird (11-12 cm) found in the Andes of Peru and Ecuador at 2,800-4,200 m. Green plumage with a glittering green hood. Nectarivore of high-altitude shrubs and Puya plants. Closely related to Andean Hillstar. Sometimes considered conspecific.
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.