Great Sapphirewing vs Steely-vented Hummingbird
Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Saucerottia saucerottei
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Sapphirewing | Steely-vented Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophanes cyanopterus | Saucerottia saucerottei |
| 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) | 4.45 g (0.16 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … | Nectarivore of Colombian Caribbean lowlands, visiting diverse flowering trees. Supplements 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.
Steely-vented Hummingbird
Thin, high-pitched twittering barely perceptible; delicate notes cascading gently near high-elevation flowers.
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.
Steely-vented Hummingbird
Found in varied habitats from Colombia to Venezuela. Resident in forest edges, gardens, and open country.
Conservation Status
Great Sapphirewing
Steely-vented 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.
Steely-vented Hummingbird
A medium-sized hummingbird (9-10 cm) found in varied habitats from Colombia to Venezuela. Green plumage with a steely-blue vent. Nectarivore of forest edges, gardens, and open country. One of the most common garden hummingbirds in northern South America.