Wedge-tailed Sabrewing vs Great Sapphirewing
Pampa pampa compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Wedge-tailed Sabrewing | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pampa pampa | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Not Evaluated | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 7.016666666666667 g (0.25 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Hovering nectarivore of lowland and montane forest, probing Heliconia and garden flowers. Supplements with 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
Wedge-tailed Sabrewing
Melodic, descending four-note phrase; clear flute-like tones stepping downward smoothly in relaxed progression.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Wedge-tailed Sabrewing
Found in humid foothill forests from southern Mexico to Guatemala. Resident in montane forest undergrowth.
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 Sabrewing
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Wedge-tailed Sabrewing
A large hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in humid foothill forests from southern Mexico to Guatemala. Green plumage with a wedge-shaped tail. Nectarivore of forest undergrowth, visiting Heliconia flowers. Named for its distinctively wedge-shaped tail.
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.