Great Sapphirewing vs Rufous-vented Whitetip
Pterophanes cyanopterus compared with Urosticte ruficrissa
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Great Sapphirewing | Rufous-vented Whitetip |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pterophanes cyanopterus | Urosticte ruficrissa |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Trochilidae | Trochilidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 21.0 cm (8.3 in) | 11.4 cm (4.5 in) |
| Weight | 10.05 g (0.35 oz) | 4.15 g (0.15 oz) |
| Diet | Nectarivore of high Andean cloud forest and treeline; one of the largest hummingbirds. Visits Ericaceae … | Nectarivore of Ecuadorian and Peruvian montane forest; forages at Ericaceae and Fuchsia. Takes 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.
Rufous-vented Whitetip
Pure, bell-like tones in descending sequence; clear musical notes stepping down smoothly with long resonant 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.
Rufous-vented Whitetip
Found on the eastern Andean slope of Ecuador in cloud forest and forest edges. 800–1,800 m elevation.
Conservation Status
Great Sapphirewing
Rufous-vented Whitetip
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-vented Whitetip
A small hummingbird (9-10 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Colombia to Peru at 1,500-2,500 m. Green plumage with rufous vent and white-tipped tail. Nectarivore of montane forest. Closely related to Purple-bibbed Whitetip. Uncommon.