Scale-throated Hermit vs Great Sapphirewing
Phaethornis eurynome compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Scale-throated Hermit | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phaethornis eurynome | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 11.7 cm (4.6 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 4.96 g (0.17 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 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Scale-throated Hermit
Buzzy, high-pitched trill sustained for several seconds; continuous vibrating note with little variation, insect-like quality.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Scale-throated Hermit
Endemic to the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil from Minas Gerais south to Rio Grande do Sul. Found at 100–1,500 m.
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
Scale-throated Hermit
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Scale-throated Hermit
A medium-sized hermit hummingbird (14-15 cm) found in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil, northeastern Argentina, and eastern Paraguay. Green plumage with scaled throat pattern and long, white-tipped tail. Nectarivore of forest undergrowth and edges.
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.