Head to head
Green-backed Firecrown vs Andean Hillstar
Green-backed Firecrown
VS Andean Hillstar
Both hummingbirds defy the tropical reputation of their family, but they have adapted to cold climates in very different ways.
| Green-backed Firecrown | Andean Hillstar | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Sephanoides sephaniodes | Oreotrochilus estella |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Cold-climate strategy | Tolerates cold temperate forest year-round | Enters deep torpor overnight |
| Record | Southernmost-breeding hummingbird species | Forages above 4,000 metres in elevation |
| Body size | Typical hummingbird size | Relatively large for a hummingbird |
| Preferred setting | Temperate forest and gardens | High-altitude Andean mountains |
| Ecological role | Key pollinator of native plants | Depends on specific high-altitude flowering plants |
| Habitat | Forest, mountains | Mountains |
Green-backed Firecrown vs Andean Hillstar: common questions
Which one survives cold through nightly torpor?
The Andean hillstar does, entering a state of deep torpor overnight to lower its body temperature and metabolic rate, a strategy the green-backed firecrown does not rely on.
Which one holds the record for breeding furthest south?
The green-backed firecrown does, breeding further south than nearly any other hummingbird species, while the Andean hillstar instead holds a record for extreme high-altitude foraging rather than latitude.
Which one is more commonly seen in gardens?
The green-backed firecrown is, having adapted well to gardens and parks in addition to wild forest, while the Andean hillstar remains restricted to remote high-altitude habitat.