Blue-chested Hummingbird vs Great Sapphirewing
Polyerata amabilis compared with Pterophanes cyanopterus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Blue-chested Hummingbird | Great Sapphirewing |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Polyerata amabilis | Pterophanes cyanopterus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | — | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 4.15 g (0.15 oz) | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on nectar from diverse forest flowers, hovering briefly at each bloom. Takes small insects … | 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
Blue-chested Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged low buzzing sound carrying well through broad-leafed tropical forest.
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Geographic Range & Migration
Blue-chested Hummingbird
Found in humid lowland forests from Honduras to Ecuador. Resident in Caribbean lowland forests.
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
Blue-chested Hummingbird
Great Sapphirewing
About These Birds
Blue-chested Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) found in humid lowland forests from Honduras to Ecuador. Males have a bright blue breast patch. Green plumage. Nectarivore of forest undergrowth and edges. Found primarily in Caribbean lowland forests.
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.