Great Sapphirewing vs Western Wedge-billed Hummingbird
Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Schistes albogularis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Sapphirewing | Western Wedge-billed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophanes cyanopterus | Schistes albogularis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) | 11.0 cm (4.3 in) |
| Weight | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) | 3.925 g (0.14 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … | Nectarivore visiting Centropogon and other understory flowers in Andean foothills. Gleans small insects from flowers … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | -- |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Great Sapphirewing only
Western Wedge-billed Hummingbird only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Western Wedge-billed Hummingbird
Bright, musical series of ascending notes; cheerful rising phrase with clear quality delivered repeatedly at dawn.
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.
Western Wedge-billed Hummingbird
Found on the western Andean slope in Colombia and Ecuador in cloud forest at 900–2,100 m elevation. Resident.
Conservation Status
Great Sapphirewing
Western Wedge-billed 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.
Western Wedge-billed Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) found in Andean cloud forests of Colombia and Ecuador at 1,000-2,500 m. Green plumage with a distinctive wedge-shaped bill and white throat. Nectarivore of forest canopy and edges. Recently split from Eastern Wedge-billed Hummingbird.