Grey-chinned Hermit vs Great Sapphirewing
Phaethornis griseogularis compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Grey-chinned Hermit | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phaethornis griseogularis | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 6.9 cm (2.7 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 2.4166666666666665 g (0.09 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore visiting Heliconia, Costus, and banana flowers along forest understory routes. Takes small insects opportunistically. | 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
Grey-chinned Hermit
Sharp, high chip followed by buzzy rattling trill; two-part call with emphatic onset and rough, cascading continuation.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Grey-chinned Hermit
Found along the Andes foothills and adjacent lowlands in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru at 300–1,800 m elevation.
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
Grey-chinned Hermit
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Grey-chinned Hermit
A small hermit hummingbird (9-10 cm) found in Andean foothill forests from Colombia to Peru at 500-2,000 m elevation. Grey chin, green plumage, and rufous underparts. Nectarivore of forest undergrowth. Taxonomy complex, with several subspecies sometimes treated as separate species.
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.