Lazuline Sabrewing
Campylopterus falcatus
Large, distinctive hummingbird. Males have bright blue underparts with maroon tail and downcurved bill. With a quick view, might be confused with a violetear or Green-backed Hillstar, but tail color and entirely blue underparts are distinctive. Females are grayer on the belly with a grayish mustache stripe; note maroon tail. Occurs in the subtropical zone of the Andes from Venezuela to Ecuador. Visits feeders, but also found in forests and edges.
Identification
The lazuline sabrewing is about 11.5 to 13 cm (4.5 to 5.1 in) long and weighs 6.4 to 8 g (0.23 to 0.28 oz). Both sexes have a black decurved bill and a white spot behind the eye. Males' upperparts are glittering green that is bluer on the crown. Their throat and breast are glittering dark violet-blue that becomes glittering blue towards the green belly. Their tail is chestnut with wide bronze-green tips on the central pair of feathers. Females' upperparts are like the male's. They have a glittering bluish throat and the rest of their underparts are pale gray with green spots on the flanks. Their tail is like the male's except there is less green at the tips of the central feathers.
Taxonomy
The lazuline sabrewing is monotypic.
- Scientific name
- Campylopterus falcatus
- Authority
- (Swainson, 1821)
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Campylopterus
Range and habitat
The lazuline sabrewing is found in the mountains of north-central and western Venezuela, the Sierra de Perijá on the Venezuela-Colombia border, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and Eastern Andes of Colombia, and into Ecuador as far south as Napo Province. It inhabits semi-deciduous montane forest, the edges of plantations, the lower reaches of páramo, and gardens. In elevation it generally ranges between 900 and 3,000 m (3,000 and 9,800 ft). In Venezuela it is most common between 1,200 and 2,300 m (3,900 and 7,500 ft) and has been recorded as low as 450 m (1,500 ft) in Colombia.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The lazuline sabrewing is believed to be sedentary.<p>The lazuline sabrewing forages for nectar mostly from the understory to the forest's mid level, usually by trap-lining but sometimes also defending patches of flowers. In addition to nectar, it also feeds on insects captured in the air or gleaned from vegetation.<p>The lazuline sabrewing's breeding season in the Sierra de Perijá appears to include June and in northern Venezuela probably includes October. Nothing else is known about its breeding phenology.<p>The male lazuline sabrewing sings "chik, it, chik, it splek, chat, seet, chik, seet, chik, it, chik, it..., etc., with many variations", usually from a somewhat exposed perch at medium height.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Spotted Nightjar
Eurostopodus argus
Small, widespread nightjar of drier inland areas, from woodlands to deserts. Fairly common in inland Australia. Primarily gray-brown with reddish-brown collar and extensive spots and barring. In flight, all-dark tail and prominent pale spots on outer wing visible. Most commonly seen when flushed from road at night. Song is an eerie wail that ascends in pitch and finishes in crescendo.
Capped Heron
Pilherodius pileatus
This gorgeous medium-sized heron is uncommon but widespread in lowlands of South America, barely extending into eastern Panama. Not likely to be mistaken: combination of silvery back, buffy neck and belly, black cap, and blue lores (sometimes radiant turquoise!) help distinguish this species from other herons. Also note the long white plumes on the back of the head. Occurs around swamps, forested ponds, and rivers, usually singly.
Sierra Madre Sparrow
Xenospiza baileyi
Very local and endangered small sparrow of highlands in central Mexico; endemic. Occurs in bunchgrass within areas of open pine woods; often rather elusive. Feeds on the ground in grassy areas and adjacent plowed fields, but sings from prominent grass stalks. Plumage looks much like Song Sparrow, with gray face, black-streaked breast and flanks, and rusty wings. Song Sparrow is larger and bulkier, with less extensive rusty in wings, and almost always lives in wetter habitats.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.