The buff-breasted sabrewing, or sometimes Duida sabrewing, is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in Brazil and Venezuela.
Region
Guiana Shield
Typical Environment
Occurs on tepui slopes and summits in southern Venezuela and adjacent northern Brazil. It favors montane evergreen forest, elfin forest, and shrubby edges near cliffs and stream gullies. Birds often work along forest borders, clearings, and flowering shrub thickets where nectar is abundant. The range is naturally fragmented by the isolated nature of tepui massifs. Local abundance can be high where suitable flowers are concentrated.
Altitude Range
900–2200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Duida sabrewing, this hummingbird is tied to the isolated table-top mountains (tepuis) of the Guiana Shield. Males have thickened, curved outer primaries—the 'sabre'—used in display flights. It is an important pollinator of highland shrubs and bromeliads. Its patchy distribution reflects the island-like nature of tepui habitats.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering and darting
Social Behavior
Typically forages alone and vigorously defends rich flower patches. Courtship involves aerial chases and display flights; males do not participate in nesting. Nests are small cups placed on horizontal branches or sheltered forks, often near streams or clearings.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are high, thin chips and short, buzzy trills delivered from exposed perches. Wing hum is prominent during close flight and displays. Calls accelerate during aggressive interactions at flowers.
Plumage
Shimmering green to bronze-green upperparts with a warm buff throat and breast grading to grayish underparts. Tail dusky with pale or buffy tips and slight fork. Feathers appear sleek with a soft gloss; males show thickened, curved outer primaries.
Diet
Feeds primarily on nectar from flowering shrubs, small trees, and bromeliads, visiting a circuit of blossoms. Supplements nectar with small arthropods, which it hawks in the air or gleans from foliage and spider webs. It often defends productive plants from other hummingbirds and insects. Seasonal flower availability drives local movements within its elevational range.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, elfin scrub, rocky tepui summits, and streamside thickets where nectar sources are concentrated. Frequently uses midstory and canopy-level flowers but will descend to feed at dense shrub layers in clearings.
