Atiu Swiftlet vs Sparkling Violetear

Aerodramus sawtelli compared with Colibri coruscans

Key Differences

  • Atiu Swiftlet is Vulnerable while Sparkling Violetear is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank Atiu Swiftlet Sparkling Violetear
Kingdom same Animalia (Animals) Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same Chordata (Chordates) Chordata (Chordates)
Class same Aves (Birds) Aves (Birds)
Order same Apodiformes (Apodiformes) Apodiformes (Apodiformes)
Family Apodidae Trochilidae
Genus Aerodramus Colibri
Species Aerodramus sawtelli Colibri coruscans

Evolutionary Relationship

Atiu Swiftlet and Sparkling Violetear share a common ancestor at the Order level: Apodiformes. (Apodiformes)

Conservation Status

Atiu Swiftlet

VU — Vulnerable

Sparkling Violetear

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute Atiu Swiftlet Sparkling Violetear
Diet
Average Lifespan
Average Length
Average Weight

Habitat & Geographic Range

Atiu Swiftlet

Habitat

Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Range

Found in Norway. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Sparkling Violetear

Habitat

Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Range

Distributed across Colombia, Ecuador, Norway, and Venezuela.

Atiu Swiftlet

The Atiu Swiftlet (Aerodramus sawtelli) is a species in the genus Aerodramus. It is currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Sparkling Violetear

A large, brilliant hummingbird of the Andes and high Venezuelan tepuis, sparkling violetears display glittering blue-green plumage with an iridescent violet-blue ear patch and chin that sparkle intensely in sunlight — delivering on their evocative name. Found at elevations of 1,200–3,000 meters across Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru in montane forest and scrub. Among the most common Andean hummingbirds, they are highly aggressive and vocal territory defenders at flower patches.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 1 countries:

Nature FYI Family

Explore more of the natural world across our sister sites.

Part of the Nature FYI family — FYIPedia