Great Sapphirewing vs Red-billed Streamertail
Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Trochilus polytmus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Sapphirewing | Red-billed Streamertail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophanes cyanopterus | Trochilus polytmus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) | 11.8 cm (4.6 in) |
| Weight | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) | 4.9 g (0.17 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … | Visits flowering trees and epiphytes for nectar; supplements diet with small arthropods including gnats, midges, … |
| 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.
Red-billed Streamertail
Sharp, emphatic two-note call; high accented first note followed by lower brief second, clearly projected.
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.
Red-billed Streamertail
Endemic to Jamaica. National bird. Resident across the island in forests, gardens, and plantations at all elevations.
Conservation Status
Great Sapphirewing
Red-billed Streamertail
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.
Red-billed Streamertail
A spectacular hummingbird (9-10 cm body + 15-18 cm tail streamers in males) endemic to Jamaica. Males have two extremely long, black tail feathers trailing behind in flight, a red bill, and iridescent green body. Jamaica's national bird. Nectarivore of forest and gardens.