Great Sapphirewing vs Glow-throated Hummingbird
Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Selasphorus ardens
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Sapphirewing | Glow-throated Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophanes cyanopterus | Selasphorus ardens |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Endangered |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) | 8.0 cm (3.1 in) |
| Weight | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) | 3.1 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … | Nectarivore of Chiriquí highlands; feeds at flowering understorey shrubs and supplements with insects and spiders. |
| Clutch Size | 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.
Glow-throated Hummingbird
Deep, hollow resonant churr; low-frequency buzzing sound vibrating persistently through tropical forest canopy.
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.
Glow-throated Hummingbird
Endemic to the western highlands of Panama at 900-2,000 m in the Chiriquí region. Classified as Endangered.
Conservation Status
Great Sapphirewing
Glow-throated 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.
Glow-throated Hummingbird
A tiny hummingbird (7-8 cm) endemic to the western highlands of Panama at 900-2,000 m. Males have a glowing magenta throat. Nectarivore of cloud forest edges. Classified as Endangered due to extremely restricted range in the Chiriquí highlands.