Great Sapphirewing vs Rufous-gaped Hillstar
Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Urochroa bougueri
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Sapphirewing | Rufous-gaped Hillstar |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophanes cyanopterus | Urochroa bougueri |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) | 15.7 cm (6.2 in) |
| Weight | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) | 11.35 g (0.40 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … | Nectarivore of Colombian and Ecuadorian montane forest; visits Ericaceae and Fuchsia blooms. Catches small arthropods. |
| 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.
Rufous-gaped Hillstar
Thin, crystalline twittering with airy quality; light rapid notes cascading softly in animated aerial display.
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.
Rufous-gaped Hillstar
Found on the Pacific slope and western Andean ridge from Colombia south to Ecuador at 1,200–2,800 m.
Conservation Status
Great Sapphirewing
Rufous-gaped Hillstar
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.
Rufous-gaped Hillstar
A medium-sized hummingbird (13-14 cm) found in cloud forests of western Colombia and Ecuador at 1,000-2,200 m. Green plumage with rufous vent and long, deeply notched tail. Nectarivore of Chocó cloud forest. Named hillstar despite being a lowland-montane species.