Violet Sabrewing

The Violet Sabrewing, a hummingbird of considerable size, graces the forests of Mexico and Central America with its presence. This avian jewel measures between 13 to 15 cm in length and tips the scales at a modest 9 to 12 grams.

Identification Tips

Males of the species boast a dusky crown with a subtle bluish-green sheen, while their nape, upper back, and face shimmer with a metallic violet blue, the belly a slightly more vivid hue. Their lower back and uppertail coverts glisten with a metallic green, and their tail feathers range from bluish-green to bluish-black, with the outer feathers edged in black and tipped generously in white. Females, on the other hand, display a more subdued dusky crown and their upperparts are a metallic green to bronze, with a bluish-green rump. Their throats are a delicate violet blue, and their underparts are primarily gray, with a whiter belly and speckled metallic green along the sides.

Habitat

The Violet Sabrewing frequents the edges and interiors of humid evergreen montane forests, mature secondary forests, as well as banana plantations and gardens, where it can be observed flitting about with grace.

Distribution

This species is found from the Mexican states of Guerrero and Veracruz, through Guatemala, southern Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador, and into northern Nicaragua. It also inhabits Costa Rica and western Panama, thriving at elevations from 500 to 2,500 meters in Mexico and 1,500 to 2,400 meters in Costa Rica.

Behaviour

The Violet Sabrewing is predominantly sedentary, though it is known to descend to lower elevations post-breeding season. Males are known to defend their floral territories with vigor, asserting dominance over other hummingbirds.

Song & calls

The song of the Violet Sabrewing is a symphony of high-pitched, piercing notes, described as "cheep tsew cheep tik-tik tsew cheep," while its calls are sharp chips that resonate through the forest air.

Breeding

Breeding coincides with the rainy season, which varies by region. In Costa Rica, they may raise two broods, with males serenading females in leks. The female constructs a nest of moss and spiderwebs, often suspended above a stream or ravine, where she will incubate her two eggs for 19 to 22 days, with fledging occurring shortly thereafter.

Diet and Feeding

The Violet Sabrewing is a nectarivore, favoring a trap-lining approach to feeding, visiting a regular circuit of flowers. It is particularly fond of Heliconia and banana flowers, but also consumes arthropods gleaned from foliage and spiderwebs.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Violet Sabrewing as Least Concern, with a stable population of at least 50,000 mature individuals. It appears to tolerate habitat disturbance to some extent, provided that some forest cover remains.