Great Sapphirewing vs Green-backed Firecrown
Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Sephanoides sephaniodes
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Sapphirewing | Green-backed Firecrown |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophanes cyanopterus | Sephanoides sephaniodes |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) | 12.0 cm (4.7 in) |
| Weight | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) | 6.583333333333333 g (0.23 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … | Nectarivore foraging at diverse temperate-zone flowers in Chile and Argentina, including Fuchsia and Embothrium. Takes … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 1-2 |
| 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.
Green-backed Firecrown
Crisp, whistled descending phrase; clean notes stepping down smoothly with precision and musical elegance 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.
Green-backed Firecrown
Found along the length of Chile and western Argentina in temperate forest and scrub. Sea level to 2,000 m. Migratory.
Conservation Status
Great Sapphirewing
Green-backed Firecrown
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.
Green-backed Firecrown
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in temperate forests of southern South America from central Chile and Argentina to Tierra del Fuego. Green plumage with coppery-green crown. The southernmost hummingbird species, tolerating sub-zero temperatures. Nectarivore of native Fuchsia and Embothrium.