Black-throated Hermit vs Great Sapphirewing
Phaethornis atrimentalis compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Black-throated Hermit | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phaethornis atrimentalis | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 7.7 cm (3.0 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 2.8 g (0.10 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of long-tubed lowland flowers, especially Heliconia. Gleans small insects and spiders from leaf surfaces. | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … |
| Clutch Size | -- | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Black-throated Hermit
Buzzy, insect-like trill with rapid modulation; high-frequency buzz sustained briefly then repeated after short pause.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Black-throated Hermit
Found in Amazonian foothills of Ecuador, Peru, and far western Brazil at 200–1,200 m. Uncommon and patchily distributed.
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
Black-throated Hermit
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Black-throated Hermit
A small hermit hummingbird (9-10 cm) found in humid lowland forests from Colombia to Peru and western Brazil. Dark throat patch contrasting with pale underparts. Nectarivore of forest undergrowth, visiting small Heliconia and Costus flowers along forest streams.
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.