Rufous-breasted Sabrewing
Campylopterus hyperythrus
Large, conspicuous hummingbird of tepui highlands. Green above and rufous below. Note extensively rufous outer tail feathers, which are easily seen as birds tend to flare tail frequently. Generally common at higher elevations (above 1000 m), especially at forest edge and in lower-stature, scrubby vegetation. Feeds on nectar and pugnaciously defends patches of flowers against other hummingbirds. Not shy and will approach to investigate observers. In territorial interactions, gives a rich, sharp note, often doubled, repeated incessantly, and similar to calls of more widespread Gray-breasted Sabrewing; also gives a single, ascending, burry note, possibly as an alarm call. No other hummingbird in highland range is as large or shows as much rufous.
Identification
The rufous-breasted sabrewing is 10.4 to 12 cm (4.1 to 4.7 in) long. Males weigh about 6.8 g (0.24 oz) and females 5.4 g (0.19 oz). Males and females are almost identical. They have a rather thick bill that is mostly black with a pinkish or light brown base to the mandible. Their face is cinnamon rufous with a dusky "mask" and a white spot behind the eye. Their upperparts are shining coppery green to bronzy green. Their underparts are cinnamon rufous. The central two pairs of tail feathers are reddish to golden bronze and the outer three pairs cinnamon rufous.
Taxonomy
The rufous-breasted sabrewing is monotypic. However, at one time some authors treated what is now the buff-breasted sabrewing (C. duidae) as a subspecies. The two are closely related and may be sister species.
- Scientific name
- Campylopterus hyperythrus
- Authority
- Cabanis, 1849
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Campylopterus
Range and habitat
The rufous-breasted sabrewing is found on the isolated table mountains called tepuis where northwestern Brazil, western Guyana, and eastern Venezuela meet. It inhabits humid montane forest, especially its edges, disturbed areas, and adjacent scrubby areas. In elevation it ranges between 1,000 and 2,000 m (3,300 and 6,600 ft).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The rufous-breasted sabrewing is considered to be a year-round resident, but because its abundance fluctuates it is suspected to make seasonal movements.<p>The rufous-breasted sabrewing's foraging strategy and diet are known only sketchily. It does forage for nectar at all levels of the habitat. At times it defends feeding territories, but up to 20 have been seen feeding in a single flowering tree. It is assumed to also feed on small arthropods like nearly all other hummingbirds.<p>Almost nothing is known about the rufous-breasted sabrewing's breeding phenology. It makes a cup nest, and reportedly places it 2 to 3 m (7 to 10 ft) above the ground, but no details have been described.<p>The rufous-breasted sabrewing's song may be as simple as "a series of chip notes." While foraging it makes "a weak, nasal sqeeek with [a] strained quality."
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Red-crested Malkoha
Dasylophus superciliosus
A large, long-tailed bird of lowland and foothill forest. Blackish in plumage, with a bluish gloss on the back and a white tail tip. Note the wide red eye-ring, the yellow bill with red at the base, and the shaggy red crest from the crown. Forages in vine tangles for insects and other animal prey. Similar in size and shape to Scale-feathered Malkoha, but Red-crested lacks the obvious white hood. Call is a sharp “jok!”
Thick-billed Flowerpecker
Pachyglossa agilis
Dull gray-brown flowerpecker with streaked white underparts. Unremarkable; bill isn’t all that noticeably thick, but combination of pale vent, striped throat, and (in some subspecies) strongly streaked underparts serve to identify this wide-ranging and variable species. Like many other flowerpeckers, often associated with mistletoe, but can be found in a variety of forest types and elevations. Often heard giving a hard, slightly wet “tsip!”
Spangled Coquette
Lophornis stictolophus
Tiny, short-tailed hummingbird with disjunct range from Venezuela to southeast Ecuador. Spectacular male is mostly green with a bushy orange crest with black spots, a dark throat, a red bill, and a white band across rump. Female is duller overall with a rusty forehead and a whitish throat. Unlikely to be confused within its range, but compare with Rufous-crested Coquette (male lacks black spotting in crest and female has a brighter rusty throat). Generally rare in lowlands and foothills up to around 1,200 m. Most likely to be seen at purple Verbena flowers or in the canopy of a flowering Inga tree.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.