Peruvian Piedtail vs Great Sapphirewing
Phlogophilus harterti compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Peruvian Piedtail | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phlogophilus harterti | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 9.1 cm (3.6 in) | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 2.45 g (0.09 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of Peruvian montane forest understory. Visits tubular flowers; catches small insects gleaned from leaf … | 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
Peruvian Piedtail
Deep, resonant hum barely audible; extremely low-frequency vibration perceptible more as sensation than distinct sound.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Peruvian Piedtail
Found on the eastern Andean slope in Peru in humid foothill forest. 400–1,400 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
Peruvian Piedtail
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Peruvian Piedtail
A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) found in Andean cloud forests of Peru at 1,300-2,200 m. Green plumage with pale-tipped tail. Nectarivore of montane forest understory. Named after Ernst Hartert. Classified as Near Threatened due to limited range.
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.