Great Sapphirewing vs Black-billed Streamertail
Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Trochilus scitulus
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Sapphirewing | Black-billed Streamertail |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophanes cyanopterus | Trochilus scitulus |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) | 13.0 cm (5.1 in) |
| Weight | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) | 4.7 g (0.17 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … | Nectarivore probing tubular flowers in humid forest. Supplements nectar diet with small 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.
Black-billed Streamertail
Buzzy, insect-like sustained trill; continuous high-frequency vibration with rapid modulation near nectar flowers.
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.
Black-billed Streamertail
Endemic to the eastern Blue Mountains of Jamaica. Restricted to montane forest. Sometimes treated as subspecies.
Conservation Status
Great Sapphirewing
Black-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.
Black-billed Streamertail
A hummingbird (9-10 cm body + long tail streamers in males) endemic to the eastern Blue Mountains of Jamaica. Males similar to Red-billed Streamertail but with a black bill. Nectarivore of montane forest. Sometimes considered a subspecies of Red-billed Streamertail.