HUMMINGBIRDS OF CENTRAL AMERICA

Violet Sabrewing

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Campylopterus Hemileucurus

The males are mostly deep violet in plumage, with dark green back and wing feathers, a black tail with three white outer pairs of feathers.

The females have dark green upper plumage, grey chest and abdomen, violet throat and a specially curved bill.

Juveniles lack the violet markings of the adult but have buff edges to their feathers. Immature males have dusky green-blue below.

BILL: long, black, decurved bill.

SIZE: A large hummingbird, measuring 4.7 - 6 inches in length.

WEIGHT: males weigh about 11.5 grams and females about 9.5 grams.

COLOR: violet, green, black, blue, and white.

Found in tropical habitats, particularly coastal slopes, inland forests, and tropical grasslands. They occur at elevations ranging from 3,300 to 8,000 meters. They do not migrate, because food is abundant in their habitats year-round.

NECTAR from a variety of brightly colored, scented small flowers of trees, herbs, shrubs, and epiphytes. They favor heliconia and banana flowers, but may also visit some flowers that open during the night for bats.

INSECTS small insects and spiders.

NEST: large cup-shaped nest built with various plant fibers, woven together and green moss is attached to the outside for camouflage. It is lined with soft plant fibers, animal hair and feather down, strengthened with spider webbing and other sticky material. Usually placed in a hidden location in a shrub, bush or tree, often on a low, thin horizontal branch situated over a stream.

EGGS: 2 white eggs.

Hovering sometimes, hanging while feeding from flowers. Males aggressively chase away other males as well as large insects - such as bumblebees and hawk moths - that want to feed in their territory. They use aerial flights and intimidating displays to defend their territories.

Mexico, El Salvador, and Guatemala, to Costa Rica and Honduras. Extends as far South as Northern South America.

REFERENCES:  https://www.beautyofbirds.com/

                          https://en.wikipedia.org/

                          https://animaldiversity.org/