Sword-billed Hummingbird

Sword-billed Hummingbird ( Ensifera ensifera )

The Sword-billed Hummingbird ( Ensifera ensifera ) is a species of bird in the family of hummingbirds. He has from all known species of hummingbirds the longest beak.

Features

The Sword-billed Hummingbird reaches a length of 17 to 22.8 centimeters. Of this sum, 9 to 11 inches on the beak, which is thus longer than the body. The weight is 12 to 15 grams. The black beak is straight and slightly bent upward. The plumage of the male is mostly dark green. Behind the eye there is a white-pigmented area. The head is copper red, the throat blackish. Breast and flanks are glittering emerald green. The abdomen is dark gray. The black tail is forked. The female resembles the male, but has a lighter underside. Throat and belly are washed out gray and have a green disc pattern. The tail is less forked. The juvenile birds are similar to females.

Occurrence

The distribution area of the Sword-billed hummingbird extends into the Andes from western Venezuela through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru to north-eastern Bolivia.

Habitat

The Sword-billed Hummingbird is found in moist to semi-moist high mountain forests, forest edges and occasionally planted with shrubs areas in the páramo at altitudes 1700-3500 meters. Most often it occurs at altitudes 2500-3000 meters.

Foraging

The preferred food plants of the species belong to the genera Aethantus, fuchsia and Salpichroa and the species Datura sanguinea, Datura Tatula, Passiflora mixta, Passiflora pinnatistipula, Passiflora Passiflora molissima and floribunda. The nectar they drink from the long, pendulous flower crowns. Even insects are part of the food that he catches in sailor style with wide open beak.

Reproduction

About the breeding biology there is no reliable information. According to an unconfirmed observation is a female who defends his nest in April. Another dubious description states that the moss nests are in trees 15 meters up.

Hiking

The Sword-billed Hummingbird is a state bird. In the Colombian Central Cordillera he flies from July to September at altitudes above 3,000 meters.

Status

The Sword-billed Hummingbird is by BirdLife International in the category " not at risk " ( least concern ) out. He is considered locally common. At Río Oyacachi he is one of the main attractions for eco-tourists. If useful forage plants are present, it adapts well to cultured human habitats. So these birds keep visiting the garden near the mountain hotel Los Frailes in Mérida, Venezuela. At the beginning of the 20th century he came in the suburbs of Quito currently very common. It can be found in several protected areas, including in Munchique National Park and Reserve Pasachoa in Colombia and El Parque Nacional Cajas and the Parque Nacional Podocarpus in Ecuador.

Etymology and History of Research

Auguste Boissonneau described the Hummingbird first under the name Ornismya ensifera. A year later appeared in the Magasin de zoology, anatomy d' comparée et de paléontologie the first illustration by Jean -Gabriel Prêtre ( 1768-1849 ). The engraving delivered Davesne ( bl. 1835-1860 ) and the pressure N. Remond.

The word " ensifera " is composed of the Latin words " ensis " for " sword " and " ferre " for " bear " together.