Great Sapphirewing vs Eastern Wedge-billed Hummingbird
Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Schistes geoffroyi
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Sapphirewing | Eastern Wedge-billed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophanes cyanopterus | Schistes geoffroyi |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) | 9.8 cm (3.9 in) |
| Weight | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) | 3.8 g (0.13 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … | Nectarivore of hilly forest interiors, probing small tubular blooms. Supplements with arthropods gleaned from bark … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Great Sapphirewing only
Eastern 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.
Eastern Wedge-billed Hummingbird
Dry, clicking trill with mechanical regularity; rapid staccato notes evenly spaced in steady rhythm throughout day.
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.
Eastern Wedge-billed Hummingbird
Found on the eastern Andean slope from Venezuela south through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. 800–2,000 m.
Conservation Status
Great Sapphirewing
Eastern 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.
Eastern Wedge-billed Hummingbird
A small hummingbird (8-9 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Venezuela to Bolivia at 1,000-2,500 m. Green plumage with a wedge-shaped bill. Nectarivore of forest canopy and edges. The name refers to its laterally compressed, wedge-like bill tip.