Gray-breasted Sabrewing
Gray-breasted Sabrewing (Campylopterus largipennis)
Name Origin:
The genus Campylopterus comes from Greek kampylos (“curved”) and pteron (“wing”), referring to the characteristically bowed outer flight feathers that give sabrewings their name. The species epithet largipennis means “broad-winged” in Latin, a fitting description for this large, robust hummingbird.
Quick Facts
🪶 Length: 13–14 cm (5.1–5.5 in)
⚖️ Weight: 8.0–9.5 g (0.28–0.34 oz)
🌎 Range: Amazon Basin of South America
🧭 Elevation: Sea level to 1,000 m (3,300 ft)
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small insects
🏡 Habitat: Humid lowland rainforest, forest edge, and clearings
🧬 Clade: Phaethornithinae “Sabrewings and Hermits”
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)
Subspecies & Distribution
Two subspecies:
1. Campylopterus largipennis largipennis
Distribution: Eastern Venezuela, the Guianas, and northwestern Brazil (west to the Rio Negro).
2. Campylopterus largipennis obscurus
Distribution: Eastern Colombia south to northern Bolivia, and eastward — mostly south of the Amazon River — to eastern Amazonian Brazil (eastern Pará and Maranhão).
Species Overview
The Gray-breasted Sabrewing is one of the largest and most striking hummingbirds of the Amazon lowlands. Named for its broad wings and smoky-gray underparts, it frequents flowering trees and shrubs in humid forests and clearings. Its loud, metallic calls and powerful flight make it a conspicuous presence in forest edges and riverine habitats throughout northern South America.
Male Description:
The male has brilliant metallic green upperparts, a grayish throat and breast, and bronze-green flanks. The tail is dark blue to purplish with a subtle green sheen, and the outer primaries are thickened and curved, forming the characteristic “sabrewing” shape. The bill is long, black, and slightly decurved.
Female Description:
The female resembles the male but is slightly paler below, with a more whitish-gray chest and less vibrant green upperparts. She has a shorter tail and narrower outer primaries.
Habitat & Behavior:
Inhabits humid lowland and foothill rainforest, forest edges, and clearings up to 1,000 meters elevation. Often seen feeding on nectar from tall trees and flowering vines, including Inga, Erythrina, and Heliconia. The Gray-breasted Sabrewing is aggressive and territorial, frequently chasing smaller hummingbirds away from feeding sites. It also catches insects in midair, a behavior shared with other large Campylopterus species.
Conservation Note:
Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, the Gray-breasted Sabrewing remains widespread and common across much of the Amazon Basin. While its population is believed to be stable, deforestation and forest fragmentation could impact local populations, especially in eastern Brazil. It occurs in numerous protected areas, including Yasuní National Park (Ecuador), Jaú National Park (Brazil), and Madidi National Park (Bolivia). Preservation of Amazonian forest edges and riparian zones ensures continued success of this robust and vocal Campylopterus species.
Below is the Gray-breasted Sabrewing (Campylopterus largipennis obscurus)
Photographed at Waqanki / Quebrada Mishquiyaquillo and Asociación Koepcke’s Hermit, San Martín, Peru, and at Manaus and Borba, Amazonas, Brazil
These individuals belong to the subspecies obscurus, which ranges from eastern Colombia south through Peru and Bolivia, and eastward—mainly south of the Amazon River—to eastern Pará and Maranhão. It inhabits humid forest edge, clearings, and tall secondary growth from lowlands up to 1,200 meters.
This subspecies is slightly darker overall than largipennis, with a more uniformly gray breast and less bronzy sheen on the upperparts. It feeds actively at forest-edge flowers and large canopy blossoms, often returning to favored perches.
Below is the Gray-breasted Sabrewing (Campylopterus largipennis largipennis)
Photographed in Manaus and Borba, Amazonas, and Bonfim, Roraima, Brazil
These individuals belong to the nominate subspecies largipennis, widespread across the central and northern Amazon Basin from Brazil and the Guianas to eastern Peru. It inhabits lowland rainforest and tall secondary growth, often along forest edges and clearings below 800 meters.
The largipennis form shows a paler gray breast, more golden-green upperparts, and a slightly larger overall size than aequatorialis. It is highly active, visiting large flowering trees and defending feeding territories in semi-open forest.
