The wedge-tailed sabrewing is a medium-sized hummingbird found in Central and South America. With its distinctive deeply forked tail and vibrant plumage, this species is a sight to behold. In this article, we will explore the identification, distribution, habitat, diet, behavior, reproduction, and conservation status of this remarkable bird.
Identification
The wedge-tailed sabrewing is named for its distinctive tail shape, which is long and deeply forked or wedge-shaped. The male has vibrant plumage in shimmering greens, blues, and violets. The throat and breast are a glittering emerald green, while the back and wings are a deep blue-violet. The tail is blackish with blue outer feathers. Females are similar but less vibrant, with more gray-brown plumage on the back and wings. Both sexes have a straight black bill and white leg tufts. Juveniles resemble adult females.
This species measures 7-9 cm in length and 12-15 cm in wingspan. It can be distinguished from other fork-tailed hummingbird species by range, as well as details in plumage and vocalizations. The wedge-tailed sabrewing has a twittering call made up of high-pitched notes in rapid succession.
Distribution
The wedge-tailed sabrewing is found from southeastern Mexico through Central America into northwest South America. Its range extends along the Andes mountains into Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Within this broad region, it occurs in various habitats from sea level up to elevations of 3000 m. Prime habitat appears to be forest edges, clearings, and second growth from 500 to 2000 m elevation.
Habitat
This hummingbird inhabits tropical and subtropical forests, woodlands, and shrublands. It prefers edges and openings that provide a mixture of flowers, feeding trees, and perches. The wedge-tailed sabrewing can adapt to parks, gardens, and degraded former forest areas, but avoids open agricultural land with few trees. Throughout its elevational range, key habitat features include sufficient nectar flowers, insect prey, and areas for aerial display.
Diet
Like all hummingbirds, the wedge-tailed sabrewing has a specialized diet of nectar and small insects. It uses its long, slender bill to drink nectar from a variety of flower shapes and types. Preferred nectar sources include flowers in the families Rubiaceae, Heliconiaceae, and Ericaceae. The sabrewing also hawks small insects like flies, mosquitoes, and spiders, catching them in flight or gleaning them from leaves and branches. The insect protein is an essential part of its diet, especially during breeding.
Behavior
The wedge-tailed sabrewing displays energetic, acrobatic flight typical of its family. The deeply forked tail allows impressive maneuverability and hovering capability. Males perform elaborate courtship flights to attract females, diving and soaring while making twittering sounds with their tail feathers. Sabrewings are aggressive around flowers, chasing off other hummingbirds or insects. They use a range of vocalizations beyond their courtship twittering, including squeaks, squeals, and chip notes.
Reproduction
The breeding season for this hummingbird varies across its range, correspondent with regional rainy seasons which stimulate flower and insect abundance. Females build a small cup nest out of soft plant fibers, spider webs, and lichens, typically on a low horizontal branch. She incubates the two tiny white eggs alone for 15-19 days until they hatch. The chicks fledge in about 3 weeks, and are fed primarily with insects by the female. Wedge-tailed sabrewings likely raise multiple broods per season.
Conservation Status
The wedge-tailed sabrewing is currently listed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN. It has a large range and stable population trend across most of that range. Total population size is unknown but presumed to be over 50,000 mature individuals. The sabrewing occurs in a number of protected areas across its range. Primary threats include habitat loss and degradation. As largely forest and scrubland species, it is sensitive to deforestation for agriculture and development. Climate change may also pose a future risk. But as an adaptable species not currently considered threatened, the outlook for the wedge-tailed sabrewing remains positive for now. Continued habitat conservation across its elevational range and meteorological zones will help ensure the species persists.
In summary, the wedge-tailed sabrewing is a fascinating and distinctive hummingbird species found from Mexico to Bolivia. Its deeply forked tail, glittering plumage, and aerial agility make it a special component of Neotropical forests and ecosystems. Maintaining its specialized habitat needs amidst ongoing human pressures will be key to the continued success of the wedge-tailed sabrewing across its range. With appropriate conservation measures, this captivating hummingbird will hopefully continue charming bird enthusiasts and pollinating tropical flowers for years to come.