Great Sapphirewing vs Violet-capped Woodnymph
Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Thalurania glaucopis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Sapphirewing | Violet-capped Woodnymph |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophanes cyanopterus | Thalurania glaucopis |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) | 11.0 cm (4.3 in) |
| Weight | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) | 4.78 g (0.17 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … | Nectarivore of South Brazilian forest, visiting bromeliads and Heliconia. Supplements with insects and spiders. |
| 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-capped Woodnymph
Deep, hollow churr with resonant character; prolonged buzzing sound vibrating softly through tropical canopy.
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-capped Woodnymph
Found in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina. Resident.
Conservation Status
Great Sapphirewing
Violet-capped 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.
Violet-capped Woodnymph
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina. Males have a violet-blue crown and green body. Nectarivore of forest and forest edges. Replaced by Fork-tailed Woodnymph in Amazonia.