Lazuline Sabrewing

Colombia

Jul 17

Lazuline Sabrewing (Campylopterus falcatus)

Name Origin:
The genus name Campylopterus derives from Greek kampulos meaning “curved” and pteros meaning “wing,” referencing the curved outer flight feathers seen in sabrewings. The species name falcatus means “sickle‑shaped,” likely referring to the bill’s shape or the wing/feather structure.

Quick Facts
🪶 Length: 11.5–13 cm (4.5–5.1 in)
⚖️ Weight: ~6.4–8 g
🌎 Range: Mountains of north‑central and western Venezuela, Sierra de Perijá (Venezuela/Colombia border), the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Colombia), Eastern Andes of Colombia, and south into Napo Province, Ecuador
🧭 Elevation: Generally 900 m and higher; in Venezuela most common between 1,200–2,300 m, in Colombia recorded as low as ~450 m
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small insects
🏡 Habitat: Humid montane forest, forest edge, lower páramo, gardens and forest plantations
🧬 Clade: Trochilini “Emeralds”
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)

Subspecies & Distribution
Monotypic — no recognized subspecies.

Species Overview
The Lazuline Sabrewing is a mid‑sized sabrewing hummingbird found in montane forest and highland regions of the northern Andes and adjacent mountain ranges. Its long curved bill, vivid violet‑blue throat in males, and willingness to visit gardens or plantations make it distinctive. It tends to forage by trap‑lining and sometimes defends flower patches.

Male Description:
Upperparts are glittering green, becoming bluer on the crown. The throat and breast are deep violet‑blue, transitioning to bright blue towards the green belly. Tail is chestnut with broad bronze‑green tips on the central pairs of feathers. Bill black and slightly decurved.

Female Description:
Upperparts like the male’s. Throat is glittering bluish; underparts pale gray with green spotting on the flanks. Tail similar to male’s but with less green tip‑color on central feathers.

Habitat & Behavior:
Inhabits humid montane forests, forest edges, and shrubby zones on high slopes. Elevational range typically begins around 900 m and goes higher. Forages for nectar among understory and mid‑storey flowers, and takes small insects by gleaning or in flight. Believed to be sedentary.

Conservation Note:
Although currently listed as Least Concern, the Lazuline Sabrewing has a patchy distribution and is somewhat sensitive to habitat changes. It does accept some modified habitats like flowering gardens and plantations, but ongoing forest loss and degradation in montane regions may impact local populations.