HUMMINGBIRDS OF CENTRAL AMERICA

Wedge-Tailed  Sabrewing

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Campylopterus Curvipennis

Have a metallic green back and pale grey to whitish below, with a glossy blue-violet crown, turning green at the nape. Have white spots behind the eyes, cheeks are dark grey and dark brown legs.

Males have a long, dark green wedge-shaped tail, while females have a shorter tail with white edges.

Juveniles look like adults but are slightly duller.

BILL: straight, stout, and broad.

SIZE: A large hummingbird measuring about 5.5 inches in length.

WEIGHT: males weigh between 5 - 7.5 grams, females weigh about 7.1 grams.

COLOR: metallic green, pale grey, white, blue-violet, dark grey, brown.

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and heavily degraded former forests.

NECTAR variety of brightly colored, scented small flowers of trees, herbs, shrubs, and epiphytes.

INSECTS small insects and spiders.

A native to Mexico, ranging from within 250 miles of the U.S. border in Southern Tamaulipas to Northern Oaxaca, as well as Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. It is believed to be resident (non-migratory).

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: one white egg.

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.

The Wedge-Tailed Sabrewing is also known as

Curve-Winged Sabrewing or White-Tailed Sabrewing.

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

                         https://en.wikipedia.org/

                         https://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/