White-tailed Sabrewing

Jul 17

White-tailed Sabrewing (Campylopterus ensipennis)

Name Origin:
The genus Campylopterus is derived from Greek kampylos (“curved”) and pteron (“wing”), referencing the slightly curved shape of the flight feathers. The species name ensipennis comes from Latin ensis (“sword”) and penna (“feather”), describing its long, sabre-shaped outer primaries and white tail.

Quick Facts

🯦 Length: 11–12.5 cm (4.3–4.9 in)
⚖️ Weight: ~6–7 g (0.21–0.25 oz)
🌎 Range: Tobago and the Paria Peninsula of extreme northeastern Venezuela
🛍️ Elevation: 200–1,200 m (660–3,940 ft)
🌺 Diet: Nectar and small insects
🏡 Habitat: Humid lowland and foothill forest, forest edges, and plantations
🧬 Clade: Trochilini “Emeralds”
📊 Status: Near Threatened (IUCN 2024)

Subspecies & Distribution

The White-tailed Sabrewing is monotypic; no recognized subspecies.

Species Overview

The White-tailed Sabrewing is a large, distinctive hummingbird known for its gleaming white tail and long, sabre-shaped outer flight feathers. Endemic to Tobago and a small area of coastal Venezuela, this species favors humid forests and adjacent clearings, often near streams or ravines. It is locally common in suitable habitat but globally restricted and patchy.

Male Description:
Males are metallic green above and below with a bold white tail and long, deeply curved outer primaries (“sabre wings”). The crown is bluish, and the bill is black and slightly decurved.

Female Description:
Females are similar to males but duller, with grayer underparts and more contrast between the white tail and the rest of the plumage. The bill is slightly longer and less curved.

Habitat & Behavior:
White-tailed Sabrewings typically inhabit forested ravines, wet woodlands, and adjacent second growth. They are often seen feeding at flowering trees and shrubs, hovering with slow, deliberate wingbeats. Territorial males defend patches of abundant flowers.

Conservation Note:
Listed as Near Threatened, the White-tailed Sabrewing faces ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation across its small range. Storm events, especially hurricanes, can dramatically affect populations on Tobago. Continued protection of humid forest habitat is crucial for its persistence.