The violet sabrewing (Campylopterus hemileucurus) is a medium-sized hummingbird found in Central America and parts of South America. Some key characteristics of this striking purple and green bird include its plumage, size, habitat, diet, behavior, reproduction, and more. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the defining features of the violet sabrewing.
Plumage
The plumage of the violet sabrewing is quite distinctive and gives this hummingbird its name. The male has gorgeous deep violet feathers covering the head, throat, breast, back, and top of the tail. The lower belly is a grayish white and the undertail is forked and mostly white. The female is similar but less vibrant, with more gray on the underparts. Both sexes have a dark bill and whitish facial markings around the eye. The vibrant coloring comes from iridescent feathers that reflect light. When the feathers are viewed from different angles, they can appear to change color.
Size
The violet sabrewing is a medium-sized hummingbird species. Adults reach lengths of 3.5–4 inches and weigh around 4–5 grams. The wingspan ranges from 3.5–4 inches. Males and females are similar in size. The violet sabrewing is larger than many hummingbird species found in the U.S. but is smaller than giants like the giant hummingbird of South America which can reach 8 inches. The small size of hummingbirds allows them to hover in place by rapidly flapping their wings, a unique ability that enables them to drink nectar from flowers.
Habitat
The violet sabrewing inhabits humid tropical forests, forest edges, and adjacent clearings from sea level up to around 6,500 feet elevation. Their range extends from southern Mexico through Central America to Panama and parts of northwestern Colombia. Within this forest habitat, the sabrewing seems to prefer areas with plenty of flowering plants and thick vegetation. The trees provide perches for resting and the many flowers supply nectar, their main food source. Understory plants also offer cover and insects to eat.
Diet
Like all hummingbirds, the violet sabrewing has a diet dominated by sugary nectar. Their long, slender beak and extendable tongue allows them to access nectar deep within tubular flowers. Some favorite nectar sources include flowers from shrubs in the Heliconia genus and various vines, trees, and epiphytes. The violet sabrewing also consumes small insects for protein. They glean insects from foliage or capture them in mid-air. Some examples of insects eaten include mosquitos, flies, beetles, caterpillars, and spiders. The babies are fed mostly small insects.
Behavior
The violet sabrewing displays some interesting behaviors and adaptations related to their lifestyle and diet. They are fast, agile fliers capable of hovering and sudden acceleration to chase insects or to establish feeding territories. Their wings beat up to 70 times per second! Violet sabrewings use their slender beaks to pierce flowers at their bases to access nectar. They have extendable three-inch tongues with forked tips covered in tubes that suck up nectar. Males are highly territorial and use their colorful plumage to attract females. Their voices produce buzzing and chipping sounds. At night, they enter a dormant state to conserve energy.
Reproduction
The breeding season for violet sabrewings varies across their range but typically corresponds with the rainy season when more flowers are in bloom. The male performs courtship displays, flying back and forth to attract a female’s attention. Once paired, the female builds a small, cup-shaped nest out of plant fibers, feathers, and spider webs on a low tree branch. She lays just two tiny white eggs. After about 16-19 days, the eggs hatch. The female cares for the chicks, feeding them regurgitated nectar and insects. The chicks fledge in 18 to 26 days. Violet sabrewings typically live for 3 to 5 years. Interestingly, male and female chicks can be identified by colored dots on their throats at an early age.
Migration
The violet sabrewing is mostly a resident species that occupies the same general territory throughout the year. However, some seasonal elevational migration has been noted in parts of their range. When flowering diminishes at higher elevations during the rainy season, they may move to lower areas. At other times, movements are influenced by the availability of nectar sources.
Physical Adaptations
Beyond their small size and ability to hover, violet sabrewings possess other physical adaptations that aid their lifestyle including:
- Their slender, slightly curved bill is an ideal shape for probing flowers.
- They have bifurcated or forked tongues with tubes on the end to lap up nectar.
- Their vision allows them to see ultraviolet light, helping them detect nectar guides on flowers.
- Their feet have zygodactyl toes for easily clinging to flowers and branches.
- Their narrow tail feathers and short legs reduce air resistance in flight.
Threats and Conservation Status
Habitat loss from deforestation is the major threat facing the violet sabrewing. They are considered a species of Least Concern by the IUCN Red List with stable populations over a large geographic range. No special conservation actions are underway, but they may benefit from habitat protection efforts and reforestation projects aimed at larger species that overlap their range. Planting native flowering vines, shrubs, and trees that provide food sources could also aid local populations.
Similar Species
The vibrant plumage of male violet sabrewings makes them difficult to confuse with other hummingbird species. Females could potentially be mixed up with other dull-colored hummers, but their larger size, white facial streaks, and range help identify them. Some similar species include:
- White-necked Jacobin – larger, white lower neck, longer bill, limited range overlap
- Green-breasted Mango – smaller, different bill shape, found at lower elevations
- Long-billed Starthroat – smaller, blunter bill, whistling call, found at higher elevations
- Green Violet-ear – smaller, separated range, less white markings by eye
Interesting Facts
Here are a few more interesting tidbits about the spectacular violet sabrewing:
- Their genus name, Campylopterus, means “curved wing” in reference to the shape of their primary wing feathers.
- The sabrewing name refers to the pronounced curvature of their wings during flight.
- Their rapid wing beats produce an audible hum as they fly by.
- They use a flying technique called “hover gleaning” to pluck insects off leaves.
- Their long, specialized tongues can extend past their bill tips by more than an inch.
- They build nests only 10 to 30 feet above ground, low for a hummingbird.
- Violet is considered a royal color associated with nobility, spirituality, and magic.
Conclusion
With its vibrant violet plumage, the aptly named violet sabrewing is truly one of nature’s most strikingly colored birds. These medium-sized, curved-wing hummingbirds inhabit tropical forests from Mexico to Panama. Feeding on flower nectar and insects, they exhibit specialized adaptations like hover feeding and extendable tongues. The territorial males perform dramatic displays during the breeding season to attract mates. Loss of habitat is an ongoing threat for these enchanting hummingbirds, but conservation efforts focused on preserving forests and flowers can help protect the violet sabrewing and its essential ecosystem. Their unique beauty and behaviors continue to fascinate bird enthusiasts around the world.
Characteristic | Description |
---|---|
Scientific name | Campylopterus hemileucurus |
Range | Southern Mexico to Panama |
Habitat | Tropical forests, edges, clearings |
Size | 3.5-4 inches long, 3.5-4 inch wingspan |
Weight | 4-5 grams |
Plumage | Iridescent violet above, white below on males. Duller on females. |
Diet | Nectar, insects |
Legs and feet | Short, zygodactyl toes |
Wings | Long, pointed, curved |
Beak | Long, slender, slightly decurved |
Special adaptations |
|
Conservation status | Least Concern |