Scaly-breasted Sabrewing vs Great Sapphirewing
Phaeochroa cuvierii compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Scaly-breasted Sabrewing | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phaeochroa cuvierii | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 8.959999999999999 g (0.32 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Visits flowering trees and epiphytes for nectar; supplements diet with small arthropods including gnats, midges, … | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Scaly-breasted Sabrewing only
Great Sapphirewing only
Song & Call Comparison
Scaly-breasted Sabrewing
Sharp, emphatic chip note with bright projection; single clean staccato sound repeated persistently near territory.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Scaly-breasted Sabrewing
Found in humid forests from Guatemala to Colombia and Venezuela. Resident in lowland forest undergrowth and edges.
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
Scaly-breasted Sabrewing
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Scaly-breasted Sabrewing
A large hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in humid forests from Guatemala to Colombia and Venezuela. Green plumage with a scaly breast pattern. Large bill. Nectarivore of forest undergrowth and edges, visiting banana flowers. The only member of its genus.
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.