Great Sapphirewing vs Purple-crowned Plovercrest
Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Stephanoxis loddigesii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Sapphirewing | Purple-crowned Plovercrest |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophanes cyanopterus | Stephanoxis loddigesii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) | 9.5 cm (3.7 in) |
| Weight | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) | 3.2 g (0.11 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … | Hovering nectarivore of lowland and montane forest, probing Heliconia and garden flowers. Supplements with insects … |
| 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.
Purple-crowned Plovercrest
High, insect-like buzz sustained steadily; thin monotone with rapid modulation barely distinguishable from background insects.
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.
Purple-crowned Plovercrest
Found in southeastern Brazil. Resident in Atlantic Forest edges and secondary growth. An Atlantic Forest near-endemic.
Conservation Status
Great Sapphirewing
Purple-crowned Plovercrest
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.
Purple-crowned Plovercrest
A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) found in southeastern Brazil. Males have a purple-violet crest. Nectarivore of Atlantic Forest edges and secondary growth. Recently split from Green-crowned Plovercrest. An Atlantic Forest near-endemic.