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
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White-throated Foliage-gleaner
Syndactyla roraimae
Small, rufous-brown bird of tepui highlands. Key mark is striking white throat contrasting sharply with unmarked brown underparts. Also note rufous tail and thin white line extending rearward from eye. Found only at higher elevations (above 1000 m) in humid forests of tepui region, where it is not particularly common and is usually seen with mixed-species flocks. Creeps over mossy branches, probes into epiphytes, and investigates dead leaves for insect prey. Distinctive vocalizations have a toneless, dry quality and are quite unlike any other species in range; call is a single hard note, sometimes doubled, whereas song is an accelerating dry rattle. At first glance could be mistaken for Roraiman Barbtail, which also has bright white throat; however, White-throated Foliage-gleaner is much larger and plainer.
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