Kingdom Animalia Class Aves Family Trochilidae Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Order Apodiformes Genus Campylopterus | |
Similar Wedge‑tailed sabrewing, Long‑tailed sabrewing, Lazuline sabrewing, Sabrewing, Santa Marta sabrewing | ||
The curve-winged sabrewing (Campylopterus curvipennis) is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is found on Mexico's Gulf slope, from Tamaulipas south to northernmost Oaxaca. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist forests and heavily degraded former forest.
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Taxonomy
C. curvipennis formerly included the wedge-tailed sabrewing (C. pampa) of the Yucatán and the long-tailed sabrewing (C. excellens) of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec under the English name wedge-tailed sabrewing.
Description
The curve-winged sabrewing is a large hummingbird with a long, wedge-shaped tail. Upperparts are green with a blue to violet-blue crown that blends into the green nape. It has a white spot behind its eyes and a dark gray cheek. Underparts are pale gray to whitish, often slightly darker laterally. The bill is long and ranges from straight to slightly decurved, and the lower mandible is pinkish at base. The adult male is slightly larger than the female, but other than that sexes are similar. Juveniles are similar to adults but duller in coloring.
Distribution and habitat
The wedge-tailed sabrewing resides in humid tropical forests, woodlands, and dense second growth, ranging from near sea level to 4500 feet above sea level. It is not known to migrate, ranging from within 250 miles of the U.S. border in southern Tamaulipas to northern Oaxaca. It is unrecorded north of Mexico.
Behavior
The wedge-tailed sabrewing often forages along walls of vegetation at forest edges and on steep slopes. Its flight style varies from the rapid wingbeats of typical hummingbirds to slower wingbeats like those of swifts. It is bold and curious, and often approaches humans. It breeds from March to July, and its nest is a well-camouflaged cup attached to a horizontal branch.
Vocalization
Calls include steady, persistent chipping and a shrill, nasal peek. The wedge-tailed sabrewing usually sings from dense vegetation, and its songs are complex and variable, usually including insect-like chips, squeaks, and squeals, followed by a series of excited warbled or gurgling notes. Males sing year-round, sometimes in small groups. Some tail or wing movements are associated with perched singing displays.