Ala-de-sable de Santa Marta
Santa Marta Sabrewing
Campylopterus phainopeplus
Song
Santa Marta Sabrewing
Appearance: The Santa Marta Sabrewing has a vibrant coloration. It has an iridescent green upper body, with a distinctive long, graduated tail that is often blue-green. The throat and breast can appear bright blue or violet, depending on the lighting, and the underparts are generally a paler green or gray. Its long, slender bill is adapted for feeding on nectar.
Habitat: This hummingbird is endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range. The species is often found in humid forest interiors and edges, where it can access abundant floral resources.
Behavior: He is known for its energetic and agile flight. Male sabrewings are territorial and engage in aggressive displays to defend their feeding grounds from other males. They have a distinctive way of letting out a buzzing noise while flying, which serves as both an advertisement and a warning.
Breeding: Breeding season for the Santa Marta Sabrewing typically occurs during the rainy season, when floral resources are abundant. The female constructs a small cup-shaped nest, usually located in a sheltered area such as a tree fork or dense vegetation. She is solely responsible for incubating the eggs and rearing the young, which typically produce one or two eggs per clutch.
Conservation Status: The Santa Marta Sabrewing is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
MALE
FEMALE
Distribution
Magdalena Department: The hummingbird is most commonly found in the central and lower parts of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Important sites include areas around the towns of Minca and Santa Marta, which serve as access points for ecotourism and biological research.
Taxonomy
The Santa Marta Sabrewing (Campylopterus phainopeplus)
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves (Birds)
- Order: Caprimulgiformes
- Family: Trochilidae
- Genus: Campylopterus
- Species: Campylopterus phainopeplus
Vocalization
Territorial Defense: Male Santa Marta Sabrewings vigorously defend their feeding areas. The vocalizations are crucial in establishing and maintaining territory, signaling to other males that the area is occupied.
Mate Attraction: During breeding seasons, males use vocalizations to attract females. The quality and frequency of calls can influence mating success, indicating vitality and fitness.
Communication: Beyond aggression and mating, vocalizations help in coordinating interactions with other birds, whether for warning or social purposes. They can signal the presence of potential threats or the availability of food sources.
