Great Sapphirewing vs Blue-tailed Hummingbird
Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Saucerottia cyanura
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Sapphirewing | Blue-tailed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophanes cyanopterus | Saucerottia cyanura |
| 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) | 4.35 g (0.15 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … | Visits flowering trees and epiphytes for nectar; supplements diet with small arthropods including gnats, midges, … |
| 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.
Blue-tailed Hummingbird
Soft, pure whistle with plaintive character; gentle wavering tone given quietly in shaded understory.
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.
Blue-tailed Hummingbird
Found in humid forests from Mexico to Costa Rica at 300-1,500 m. Resident on both Pacific and Caribbean slopes.
Conservation Status
Great Sapphirewing
Blue-tailed 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.
Blue-tailed Hummingbird
A medium-sized hummingbird (9-10 cm) found in humid forests from Mexico to Costa Rica at 300-1,500 m. Green plumage with a blue tail. Nectarivore of forest edges and gardens. Found on both Pacific and Caribbean slopes of Central America.