Great Sapphirewing vs Many-spotted Hummingbird

Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Taphrospilus hypostictus

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Great Sapphirewing Many-spotted Hummingbird
Scientific Name Pterophanes cyanopterus Taphrospilus hypostictus
Order Caprimulgiformes Caprimulgiformes
Family Trochilidae Trochilidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 21.0 cm (8.3 in) 13.4 cm (5.3 in)
Weight 10.05 g (0.35 oz) 7.4 g (0.26 oz)
Diet Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … Feeds on nectar from flowering shrubs and epiphytes. Catches small insects and spiders to meet …
Clutch Size 2 2
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Great Sapphirewing only

Many-spotted Hummingbird only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Great Sapphirewing

Song

Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.

Many-spotted Hummingbird

Song

Soft, melodic warbling with gentle flowing character; notes weaving smoothly in quiet phrase through forest.

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.

Many-spotted Hummingbird

Found in humid Andean foothill forests from Colombia to Bolivia at 500-1,800 m. Resident in forest edges.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Great Sapphirewing

Least Concern

Many-spotted 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.

Many-spotted Hummingbird

A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in humid Andean foothill forests from Colombia to Bolivia at 500-1,800 m. Green plumage with many buff spots on the underparts. Nectarivore of forest edges and clearings. Named for its distinctive spotted breast.

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