Campylopterus hemileucurus (Deppe, 1830)

Common Name and Regional Status

Campylopterus hemileucurus, commonly known as the violet sabrewing, is the largest hummingbird found in Mexico and Central America.

Size Measurements

It measures 13 to 15 cm (5.1 to 5.9 in) in length and weighs 9 to 12 g (0.32 to 0.42 oz).

Bill Characteristics

Both sexes of the species have a black bill; the bills of the C. h. mellitus subspecies are longer than those of the nominate subspecies.

Nominate Male Crown Coloration

Males of the nominate subspecies have a dusky crown with a bluish green gloss.

Nominate Male Nape and Underpart Coloration

Their nape, upper back, face, and underparts are metallic violet blue, with a slightly bluer tone on the belly.

Nominate Male Back and Covert Coloration

Their lower back and uppertail coverts are metallic green.

Nominate Male Tail Features

Their central tail feathers are bluish green to bluish black, while the rest of the tail feathers are blackish with wide white tips.

Nominate Female Upperpart Coloration

Females of the nominate subspecies have a dusky crown and metallic green to bronze green upperparts, with a more bluish green rump.

Nominate Female Throat Coloration

They have a violet blue throat.

Nominate Female Underpart Coloration

Most of their underparts are gray, with a whiter belly, metallic green spots along the sides, and green undertail coverts.

Nominate Female Tail Features

Their central tail feathers are bluish green, and the rest are blacker with wide white tips.

C. h. mellitus Male Plumage

Males of the C. h. mellitus subspecies have more green on their upperparts than the nominate subspecies, and have almost entirely violet underparts with no blue on the belly.

C. h. mellitus Female Plumage

Females of this subspecies have a coppery tinge to their upperparts and a violet throat.

Nominate Subspecies Distribution

The nominate subspecies of violet sabrewing is distributed intermittently from the Mexican states of Guerrero and Veracruz south through Guatemala, southern Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador into northern Nicaragua.

C. h. mellitus Subspecies Distribution

The C. h. mellitus subspecies occurs along most of the length of Costa Rica extending into western Panama.

Habitat Types

This species inhabits the edges and interior of humid evergreen montane forest, mature secondary forest, banana plantations, and gardens.

Mexican Elevation Range

In Mexico, it generally occurs at elevations between 500 and 2,000 m (1,600 and 6,600 ft), and can be found as high as 2,500 m (8,200 ft).

Costa Rican Elevation Range

In Costa Rica, it ranges between 1,500 and 2,400 m (4,900 and 7,900 ft) in elevation.