Great Sapphirewing vs Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Selasphorus platycercus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Sapphirewing | Broad-tailed Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophanes cyanopterus | Selasphorus platycercus |
| 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) | 3.4875000000000003 g (0.12 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … | Nectarivore of high-altitude meadows, visiting paintbrush and Penstemon. Captures insects and spiders to supplement nectar … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Great Sapphirewing only
None
Broad-tailed Hummingbird only
None
Song & Call Comparison
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Rapid, buzzy chips in excited sequence; rough staccato notes tumbling quickly with energetic quality near 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.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
Found in mountain meadows of western North America from Idaho to Guatemala at 1,500-3,500 m. Breeds in highlands; winters south.
Conservation Status
Great Sapphirewing
Broad-tailed 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.
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
A medium-sized hummingbird (10 cm) found in mountain meadows of the western US from Idaho to Guatemala at 1,500-3,500 m. Males produce a distinctive metallic trilling sound with their tail feathers during display dives. Rose-magenta gorget. Nectarivore of mountain wildflowers.