Great Sapphirewing vs Puerto Rican Emerald
Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Riccordia maugaeus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Sapphirewing | Puerto Rican Emerald |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophanes cyanopterus | Riccordia maugaeus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) | — |
| Weight | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) | 4.25 g (0.15 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … | Puerto Rican endemic nectarivore, visiting forest and garden flowers. Supplements nectar with insects and spiders … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 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.
Puerto Rican Emerald
Thin, reedy trill with nasal overtone; soft chattering notes delivered continuously during rapid low flight.
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.
Puerto Rican Emerald
Endemic to Puerto Rico. Resident across the island from coastal lowlands to mountain cloud forests.
Conservation Status
Great Sapphirewing
Puerto Rican 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.
Puerto Rican Emerald
A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) endemic to Puerto Rico. Bright emerald-green plumage. Nectarivore of forests, gardens, and plantations across the island. Puerto Rico's only endemic hummingbird. Found from coastal lowlands to mountain cloud forests.