Colibrí Picoespada
Sword-billed Hummingbird
Ensifera ensifera
Song
Sword-billed Hummingbird
Appearance: The Sword-billed Hummingbird is a remarkable bird known for its extraordinarily long bill, which is longer than its body. This adaptation allows it to feed on flowers with deep corollas. The bird exhibits vibrant green plumage with a glossy sheen, while the underparts may display a more muted coloration. Males and females are similar in appearance, although females might have slightly duller hues.
Habitat: This species inhabits cloud forests and montane regions, often found at elevations ranging from 1700 to 3500 m. It prefers areas with abundant flowering plants which provide the nectar it feeds. These environments are characterized by high humidity and dense vegetation, offering both food resources and shelter.
Behavior: The Sword-billed Hummingbird is known for its specialized feeding behavior, using its long bill to access nectar from flowers that other hummingbirds cannot reach. It hovers skillfully in front of blossoms, using rapid wing beats to maintain stability. It consumes small insects and spiders for protein. The bird is territorial, often defending its feeding areas from other hummingbirds.
Breeding: The breeding occurs in these hummingbirds with the female responsible for nest construction and care of the young. The nest is a small cup made from plant fibers and spider silk, camouflaged with moss. The female lays two white eggs and incubates them alone. Once hatched, she feeds the chicks with regurgitated nectar and insects.
Conservation Status: The Sword-billed Hummingbird is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.
MALE
FEMALE
Distribution
The Sword-billed Hummingbird is found in the three ranges of the Andes. But not found in the mountains of northern Colombia. It occupies habitats within the mountainous regions where its preferred floral resources are abundant.
Taxonomy
The Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Caprimulgiformes
- Family: Trochilidae
- Genus: Ensifera
- Species: Ensifera ensifera
Vocalization
The Sword-billed Hummingbird is a remarkable bird species and notable for its exceptionally long bill which is longer than its body, making it the only bird with such a feature.
Vocalization
The vocalizations of the Sword-billed Hummingbird are not as extensively documented. They produce a variety of sounds that can include high-pitched chips, trills, and squeaks. These vocalizations are used for communication, territorial displays, and interactions with potential mates or rivals.
