Great Sapphirewing Pterophanes cyanopterus Scientific name definitions

The Great Sapphirewing (Pterophanes cyanopterus)—also known as Páramo Sapphirewing, Temminck’s Sapphirewing, or simply Sapphirewing— occupies humid montane tropical cloud forests, elfin forests, stunted forest borders, and shrubby slopes from the Andes of western Venezuela to southern Peru. A territorial and solitary hummingbird, it spends the bulk of its time foraging in the lower and mid-story levels of forests, particularly near banks of flowers. Males are an iridescent, teal-green color with bright, sapphire-colored upper wings. Females are similar to males, but are distinguished by their cinnamon-pink underparts. Like other neotropical hummingbirds, its twittering call can be heard during territorial displays and aerial chases. It is most easily observed in the early morning, perching on high and bare branches. It is one of the largest hummingbird species in the world, and usually the largest in its habitat: only the Fiery Topaz (Topaza pyra), Crimson Topaz (Topaza pella), and Giant Hummingbird (Patagona gigas) are larger.