Cinnamon-throated Hermit vs Great Sapphirewing
Phaethornis nattereri compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Cinnamon-throated Hermit | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phaethornis nattereri | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 8.6 cm (3.4 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 2.8 g (0.10 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore following trap-lining routes through Heliconia and Costus flowers. Catches small arthropods for protein. | 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
Cinnamon-throated Hermit
Pure, sustained whistle with bell-like clarity; single note held steadily then gently fading, given from tall forest perch.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Cinnamon-throated Hermit
Endemic to the cerrado and caatinga transition zones of central and northeastern Brazil. Found at 200–800 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
Cinnamon-throated Hermit
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Cinnamon-throated Hermit
A small hermit hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in dry scrubland and gallery forests of central Brazil and eastern Bolivia. Cinnamon-orange throat, green upperparts, and rufous underparts. Nectarivore adapted to cerrado and transition forest habitats.
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.