Violet Sabrewing
Campylopterus hemileucurus
The Violet Sabrewing (Campylopterus hemileucurus) is a uncommon hummingbird found in 8 countries, weighing about 10 g. The violet sabrewing is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of the subfamily Trochilinae.
About the Violet Sabrewing
The violet sabrewing is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of the subfamily Trochilinae. It is found from Mexico to Panama.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The violet sabrewing is the largest hummingbird of Mexico and Central America. It is 13 to 15 cm (5.1 to 5.9 in) long and weighs 9 to 12 g (0.32 to 0.42 oz). Both sexes have a black bill, though those of subspecies C. h. mellitus are longer than the nominate's. Males of the nominate subspecies have a dusky crown with a bluish green gloss. Their nape and upper back, face, and underparts are metallic violet blue that is somewhat bluer on the belly. Their lower back and uppertail coverts are metallic green. Voice: The violet sabrewing's song has been described as "cheep tsew cheep tik-tik tsew cheep ..., high-pitched, piercing and ventriloquial" and as "varied, loud, sharp chipping and warbles, often punctuated with fairly shrill, slightly explosive notes". Its calls are "high, sharp chippering", "prolonged, hard chipping", and "single sharp chips given in flight."
What the Violet Sabrewing sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The Violet Sabrewing can be seen all year round, with peak activity in March. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Violet Sabrewing?
- The violet sabrewing is the largest hummingbird of Mexico and Central America. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Violet Sabrewing?
- The Violet Sabrewing is a tiny sized bird weighing about 10 g.
- Where can you see a Violet Sabrewing?
- The Violet Sabrewing occurs in 8 countries, including Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Nicaragua.
- What does a Violet Sabrewing sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Violet Sabrewing on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Violet Sabrewing?
- The Violet Sabrewing is most easily confused with the Grey-breasted Sabrewing, the Lazuline Sabrewing and the Napo Sabrewing.
- Is the Violet Sabrewing endangered?
- The Violet Sabrewing is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Violet 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.
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