Giant Hummingbird vs Great Sapphirewing
Patagona gigas compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Giant Hummingbird | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Patagona gigas | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 27.1 cm (10.7 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 18.925 g (0.67 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore; world's largest hummingbird. Forages at Puya and Agave flowers, hovering briefly then perching. Catches … | 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
Giant Hummingbird
Soft, lilting melody with flute-like purity; smooth notes weaving gently in pleasant sequence at forest edge.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Giant Hummingbird
Found along the Andes from Ecuador south through Peru and Bolivia to Argentina and Chile. 2,000–4,500 m. World's largest hummingbird.
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
Giant Hummingbird
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Giant Hummingbird
The world's largest hummingbird (21-23 cm, weight 18-24 g), roughly the size of a European Starling. Green-brown plumage. Found in open habitats along the Andes from Colombia to Chile and Argentina at 2,000-4,500 m. Nectarivore of cacti and large flowers. Unusually slow wingbeat for a hummingbird.
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.