Great Sapphirewing vs Crimson Topaz
Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Topaza pella
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Sapphirewing | Crimson Topaz |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophanes cyanopterus | Topaza pella |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) | 15.0 cm (5.9 in) |
| Weight | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) | 12.625 g (0.45 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … | Nectarivore and insectivore; extracts nectar from trap-lining flowers and hawks small flying insects in forest … |
| 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.
Crimson Topaz
Rough, raspy chatter with intermittent clear whistles; complex mix of harsh and musical notes characteristic of active pairs.
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.
Crimson Topaz
Found in the Guiana Shield and Amazon basin from Colombia and Venezuela south to Peru and Brazil. Resident near rivers in lowland forest.
Conservation Status
Great Sapphirewing
Crimson Topaz
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.
Crimson Topaz
A spectacular, large hummingbird (18-20 cm including long tail) of northern South America. Male has glittering crimson-red throat and breast with a golden-green back. The largest hummingbird in its range. Nectarivore of lowland tropical forest canopy, visiting large flowers. Found in Venezuela, the Guianas, and northern Brazil.