Great Sapphirewing vs Spot-throated Hummingbird
Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Thaumasius taczanowskii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Sapphirewing | Spot-throated Hummingbird |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophanes cyanopterus | Thaumasius taczanowskii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) | — |
| Weight | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) | 6.833333333333333 g (0.24 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … | Nectarivore visiting diverse flowering plants; supplements the high-sugar nectar diet with small insects and spiders … |
| Clutch Size | 2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Shared Habitats
Great Sapphirewing only
Spot-throated Hummingbird only
Song & Call Comparison
Great Sapphirewing
Buzzy, insect-like trill with pulsing rhythm; high-frequency vibration with slight amplitude modulation near flowers.
Spot-throated Hummingbird
Rapid, mechanical clicking in even dry rhythm; staccato notes forming steady sequence during active day.
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.
Spot-throated Hummingbird
Found in Andean foothills of Peru at 1,500-3,000 m elevation. A Peruvian near-endemic of montane scrub.
Conservation Status
Great Sapphirewing
Spot-throated 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.
Spot-throated Hummingbird
A medium-sized hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in Andean foothills of Peru at 1,500-3,000 m. Green plumage with spotted throat. Nectarivore of montane scrub and forest edges. Named after the Polish ornithologist Władysław Taczanowski. A Peruvian near-endemic.