Great Sapphirewing vs Cuban Emerald
Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Riccordia ricordii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Sapphirewing | Cuban Emerald |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophanes cyanopterus | Riccordia ricordii |
| 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) | 3.75 g (0.13 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … | Nectarivore of Cuban forest and gardens, visiting diverse native blooms. Takes small 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.
Cuban Emerald
Buzzy, insect-like trill sustained steadily; continuous rapid vibration with little melodic variation over time.
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.
Cuban Emerald
Found in Cuba, the Bahamas, and occasionally southern Florida. Resident in forests, gardens, and mangroves.
Conservation Status
Great Sapphirewing
Cuban 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.
Cuban Emerald
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in Cuba and the Bahamas, with vagrants to Florida. Brilliant iridescent green plumage and white breast. Deeply forked tail. Nectarivore of forest, gardens, and mangroves. Cuba's most common hummingbird.