Great Sapphirewing vs Crowned Woodnymph
Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Thalurania colombica
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Sapphirewing | Crowned Woodnymph |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophanes cyanopterus | Thalurania colombica |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) | 10.5 cm (4.1 in) |
| Weight | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) | 4.34 g (0.15 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … | Feeds on nectar from understory herbs and epiphytes in humid forest. Supplements diet 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.
Crowned Woodnymph
Sharp, crackling chatter with percussive quality; rapid dry notes delivered forcefully during active territory defense.
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.
Crowned Woodnymph
Found in humid forests from Guatemala to Peru. Resident in lowland and montane forests on both slopes of the Andes.
Conservation Status
Great Sapphirewing
Crowned Woodnymph
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.
Crowned Woodnymph
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in humid forests from Guatemala to Peru. Males have a brilliant violet-blue crown and green body. Nectarivore of forest and forest edges. One of the most common woodnymph hummingbirds in Central and South America.