The Violet Sabrewing is the largest species of hummingbird in Middle America. It occurs in montane forests from southern Mexico south to western Panama, and also is found at forest edges, in second growth forests, banana plantations, and flower gardens.
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I saw this gorgeous hummingbird at the Monteverde Cloud Forest where they have feeders. The photos don’t do them justice, they glow with iridescence that catches the sun. A Central America award will get you to Costa Rica where you can travel to Monteverde and other great birding locations.
The food of this species is nectar, taken mainly from undergrowth flowers with Heliconias and bananas as favourites. The males are less aggressive and territorial at flowers than their size would suggest.
The call of the Violet Sabrewing is a sharp twitter, and the song of the male, given at leks of up to ten males, is a high-pitched piercing cheep tsew cheep tik-tik tsew.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS BIRD
Cornell Lab of Ornithology (also has recording of this bird’s call)
VIDEO
Look fast, it’s only a short clip!