Great Sapphirewing vs Violet-chested Hummingbird
Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Sternoclyta cyanopectus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Sapphirewing | Violet-chested Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophanes cyanopterus | Sternoclyta cyanopectus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) | 14.0 cm (5.5 in) |
| Weight | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) | 7.816666666666667 g (0.28 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … | Nectarivore of Venezuelan cloud forest; visits Ericaceae and large epiphyte flowers. Supplements with small arthropods. |
| 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.
Violet-chested Hummingbird
Deep, resonant churring trill; prolonged buzzing sound carrying well across Andean scrub habitat at low frequency.
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.
Violet-chested Hummingbird
Found in humid montane forest of the coastal Cordillera and tepuis of Venezuela at 1,000–2,200 m elevation.
Conservation Status
Great Sapphirewing
Violet-chested 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.
Violet-chested Hummingbird
A large hummingbird (12-13 cm) endemic to the coastal mountains of northern Venezuela at 900-2,500 m. Males have a striking violet-blue breast. Nectarivore of montane forest and coffee plantations. A range-restricted Venezuelan endemic.