Great Sapphirewing vs Black-backed Thornbill
Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Ramphomicron dorsale
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Sapphirewing | Black-backed Thornbill |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophanes cyanopterus | Ramphomicron dorsale |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) | 11.0 cm (4.3 in) |
| Weight | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) | 3.5 g (0.12 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … | Nectarivore of high montane scrub and páramo; short bill suits small compact flowers. Gleans tiny … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Black-backed Thornbill
Soft, sibilant hissing trill; gentle continuous buzz with slight pulsing quality during slow hover near blossoms.
Geographic Range & Migration
Great Sapphirewing
Found in high Andean cloud forests and páramo from Colombia south through Ecuador and Peru to Bolivia. 2,400–3,800 m.
Black-backed Thornbill
Endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia, in high-elevation scrub and páramo. 1,800–3,500 m. Found nowhere else.
Conservation Status
Great Sapphirewing
Black-backed Thornbill
About These Birds
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.
Black-backed Thornbill
A tiny hummingbird (7-8 cm) endemic to the Santa Marta Mountains of northern Colombia at 3,000-4,600 m. Dark back, tiny bill, and white underparts. Nectarivore of high-altitude páramo. Classified as Vulnerable due to restricted mountain-top habitat.