The Story
I photographed this Great Sapphirewing (Pterophanes cyanopterus) at the Observatorio de Colibríes in La Calera, near Bogotá, Colombia. The Great Sapphirewing is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, and it is the only member of its genus. It usually feeds at low to middle levels, hovering or perching at the outside of the plant. It usually defends patches of flowers but also trap-lines, visiting a circuit of feeding sites. At least 14 hummingbird species visit the observatory’s single hectare, where the family has planted about 300 native flowering trees and shrubs. IUCN lists the Great Sapphirewing as Least Concern, with a decreasing population.
I made this frame with a Pentax K-1 and the HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm f/4.5-5.6, at 1/800 sec, f/5.6, ISO 6400. Victoria Lizarralde and her family began the observatory in 2005, and they plant native flowers, keep the feeders fresh and host school visits to promote conservation.
©2022 Adam Rainoff Photographer
The bird
The Great Sapphirewing (Pterophanes cyanopterus) belongs to the family Trochilidae (Hummingbirds) in the eBird/Clements taxonomy.
Source: eBird.org (opens in a new tab)
Conservation
Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (assessment published 2024), with the population trend listed as decreasing. Source: IUCN Red List