Great Sapphirewing vs Fiery Topaz
Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Topaza pyra
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Sapphirewing | Fiery Topaz |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophanes cyanopterus | Topaza pyra |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) | 15.2 cm (6.0 in) |
| Weight | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) | 12.8 g (0.45 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … | Primarily nectar-feeding; uses exceptionally curved bill to access heliconia blossoms; supplements with small 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.
Fiery Topaz
Gentle, whistled three-note phrase with falling inflection; soft, pure tones delivered slowly with expressive melodic quality.
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.
Fiery Topaz
Found in the western Amazon basin from Colombia and Ecuador south to Peru and Bolivia. Resident in lowland and foothill forest along rivers.
Conservation Status
Great Sapphirewing
Fiery Topaz
How to Tell Them Apart
Great Sapphirewing
Fiery Topaz
Males fiery orange-red body with glittering golden-orange gorget; elongated crossed purplish tail feathers; female bronze-green above, cinnamon below; Amazonian species with slightly more orange tone than 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.
Fiery Topaz
A spectacular, large hummingbird (18-20 cm) of the western Amazon basin. Male has a brilliant fiery-red throat and breast with iridescent golden-green upperparts. Nectarivore of lowland rainforest canopy. Found in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and western Brazil. Visits Heliconia and other large tropical flowers.