Rufous-breasted Sabrewing
Campylopterus hyperythrus
The Rufous-breasted Sabrewing (Campylopterus hyperythrus) is a legendary hummingbird found in 3 countries, weighing about 6 g. The rufous-breasted sabrewing is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae.
About the Rufous-breasted Sabrewing
The rufous-breasted sabrewing is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
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. Voice: 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 strained quality."
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Brazil.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, November, December, with peak activity in February. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Rufous-breasted Sabrewing?
- The rufous-breasted sabrewing is 10.4 to 12 cm (4.1 to 4.7 in) long. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Rufous-breasted Sabrewing?
- The Rufous-breasted Sabrewing is a tiny sized bird weighing about 6 g.
- Where can you see a Rufous-breasted Sabrewing?
- The Rufous-breasted Sabrewing occurs in 3 countries, including Venezuela and Guyana.
- What birds look similar to a Rufous-breasted Sabrewing?
- The Rufous-breasted Sabrewing is most easily confused with the Outcrop Sabrewing, the Diamantina Sabrewing and the Buff-breasted Sabrewing.
- Is the Rufous-breasted Sabrewing endangered?
- The Rufous-breasted Sabrewing is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Rufous-breasted Sabrewing for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.