Great Sapphirewing vs Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird

Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Saucerottia castaneiventris

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Great Sapphirewing Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird
Scientific Name Pterophanes cyanopterus Saucerottia castaneiventris
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Trochilidae Trochilidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Near Threatened
Length
Wingspan 21.0 cm (8.3 in)
Weight 10.05 g (0.35 oz) 5.0 g (0.18 oz)
Diet Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … Feeds on nectar from flowering shrubs and epiphytes. Catches small insects and spiders to meet …
Clutch Size 2 2
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Great Sapphirewing only

Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Great Sapphirewing

Song

Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.

Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird

Song

Melodic, flute-like phrase with clear warm quality; smooth notes flowing pleasantly in quiet forest sequence.

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.

Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird

Endemic to the eastern Andes of Colombia at 1,400-2,700 m. Classified as Endangered due to limited range.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Great Sapphirewing

Near Threatened

Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird

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.

Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird

A medium-sized hummingbird (9-10 cm) endemic to the eastern Andes of Colombia at 1,400-2,700 m. Males have a distinctive chestnut-red belly. Green body. Nectarivore of cloud forest and forest edges. Classified as Endangered due to limited Colombian range.

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