Great Sapphirewing vs Wine-throated Hummingbird
Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Selasphorus ellioti
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Sapphirewing | Wine-throated Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophanes cyanopterus | Selasphorus ellioti |
| 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) | 3.0 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … | Nectarivore of Central American montane forest, visiting flowering epiphytes. Supplements with insects and spiders caught … |
| 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.
Wine-throated Hummingbird
Melodic, descending two-note call; pure warm tones stepping down smoothly, given repeatedly from perch.
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.
Wine-throated Hummingbird
Endemic to the highlands of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras at 1,500-3,000 m. Resident in cloud forest and elfin woodland.
Conservation Status
Great Sapphirewing
Wine-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.
Wine-throated Hummingbird
A tiny hummingbird (7-8 cm) endemic to the highlands of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras at 1,500-3,000 m. Males have a wine-red/magenta gorget. Nectarivore of cloud forest and elfin woodland edges. A Central American highland endemic.