Great Sapphirewing vs Brace's Emerald
Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Riccordia bracei
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Sapphirewing | Brace's Emerald |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophanes cyanopterus | Riccordia bracei |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Extinct |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) | — |
| Weight | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) | 3.54 g (0.12 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … | Extinct emerald; was a nectarivore of Bahamian scrub, likely visiting flowering shrubs and supplementing with … |
| 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.
Brace's Emerald
Soft, melodic warbling with gentle rhythm; notes rising and falling in quiet unhurried phrase through shaded area.
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.
Brace's Emerald
Formerly endemic to New Providence Island, Bahamas. Extinct since the late 19th century. Known from a single 1877 specimen.
Conservation Status
Great Sapphirewing
Brace's Emerald
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.
Brace's Emerald
An extinct hummingbird formerly endemic to New Providence Island, Bahamas. Known from a single specimen collected in 1877. Green plumage. Lost to habitat destruction and possibly predation by introduced mammals. No confirmed sightings since the 19th century.