The rufous sabrewing is a species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is found in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico.
Region
Mesoamerica
Typical Environment
Occurs in southern Mexico (notably Chiapas and Oaxaca) through Guatemala to El Salvador. Prefers humid montane and cloud forests, pine–oak forests, and forest edges, including second growth. Frequently visits flowering gardens and shade coffee plantations, especially where Heliconia, Inga, and other nectar sources are common. Uses ravines and stream corridors and often forages from understory to mid-canopy. Locally common where suitable habitat persists but patchy in distribution.
Altitude Range
600–2200 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A large, rich rufous-bodied hummingbird of humid highland forests, the rufous sabrewing often forages at forest edges and shade coffee plantations. Its name comes from the subtly sabre-shaped outer primaries typical of sabrewings. Males aggressively guard flower patches and produce audible wing buzzes during fast, hovering flights. It is localized to southern Mexico and northern Central America.
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
rapid hovering with short, darting flights
Social Behavior
Typically forages alone and males defend flower-rich territories vigorously. Courtship includes fast chases and display flights; the male does not assist with nesting. The female builds a small cup nest of plant down and spider silk and incubates two eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives high, thin chips and short, dry trills, often from shaded perches. Wingbeats produce a distinct humming or buzzing audible at close range. Vocalizations are simple but persistent around feeding and territorial interactions.
Plumage
Mostly rich rufous underparts and tail with bronzy-green upperparts; feathers appear slightly glossy in good light. Wings are dusky with sabre-like outer primaries typical of the group. The face shows a subtle pale spot behind the eye and faint pale malar area.
Diet
Feeds primarily on nectar from flowers such as Heliconia, Inga, and other tubular blossoms in the understory and mid-story. Also takes small insects and spiders for protein, hawking them in short sallies or gleaning from foliage. Will visit flowering shrubs in gardens and coffee farms when native resources are scarce.
Preferred Environment
Forages along forest edges, clearings, streamside vegetation, and within shade coffee plantations. Uses mid-elevation cloud forest understory where nectar-rich plants are abundant.
