Great Sapphirewing

Pterophanes cyanopterus

Least ConcernRareNectarForestCup nestTiny · 9 g

About the Great Sapphirewing

The great sapphirewing is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

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The great sapphirewing is one of the largest hummingbirds; only the two of genus Topaza and the giant hummingbird (Patagona gigas) are larger. It is 15.5 to 19 cm (6.1 to 7.5 in) long including the 3.6 cm (1.4 in) bill. Males weigh between 9.6 and 11.2 g (0.34 and 0.40 oz) and females 8.4 to 11 g (0.30 to 0.39 oz). Both sexes have a small white spot behind the eye. Males of the nominate subspecies have dark shining blue-green upperparts. The wing is mostly shining blue and the tail greenish black. The underparts are also blue-green but somewhat bluer than the upperparts. Voice: The great sapphirewing's vocalizations include "a high, thin, liquid chatter", a "drawn-out piercing high-pitched zeee", and " agitated titititirrr".

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

What the Great Sapphirewing sounds like

Recording: Niels Krabbe · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where it lives

Regular range

When to see it

Peak activity in November · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Learn the Great Sapphirewing for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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