Peru Bird Species V: Great Sapphirewing
The Great Sapphirewing (Pterophanes cyanopterus) ranks as the fourth-largest hummingbird, behind the Giant Hummingbird (Patagona gigas) and the two species of Topaza (Crimson and Fiery Topaz). It inhabits humid montane forests and forest edges in the Andes at elevations ranging from 2,600 to 3,700 meters. Witnessing its large, shining blue wings is the highlight of almost any of the birding tours in Peru.Â
The species is the only member of its genus, Pterophanes. It is notable for its slow, gliding flight, more butterfly-like than the rapid hovering typical of smaller hummingbirds.
Physical Characteristics
The Great Sapphirewing measures 15.5 to 19 cm in length, with a bill approximately 3.6 cm long.
Males feature dark, shining blue-green upperparts, brilliant blue wings, and a greenish-black tail. Females show dark metallic green upperparts with a dusky gray crown, blue wing coverts, and cinnamon underparts with green on the sides. A small white spot behind the eye is visible in both sexes and serves as a distinctive field mark.
Subspecies and Regional Variations
There are three recognized subspecies, distinguished by subtle differences in plumage:
- P. c. cyanopterus – Found in the Eastern Andes of Colombia; males have duller green upperparts.
- P. c. caeruleus – Inhabits the Central and Western Andes of Colombia; males have more intense darker blue than the nominate. Females also have more blue, a darker crown, and less white on the outer tail feathers.
- P. c. peruvianus - Found from Colombia to Bolivia. Males have more greenish than blue upperparts than the nominate, though the wings have about the same amount of blue. The underparts are also greenish, with a buffy belly. The female's underparts are a less intense cinnamon than the nominate's and it has more white on the outer tail feathers. This is the subspecies you can see in Birds Hotel Molino gardens with Birding Tours Peru.Â
Source: Wikipedia
Photo: Holmes Pantoja, Birds Hotel Molino, Birding Tours Peru
