Campylopterus phainopeplus

WILDLIFE

Campylopterus phainopeplus

Campylopterus phainopeplus

About

The Santa Marta sabrewing (Campylopterus phainopeplus) is a Critically Endangered species of hummingbird in the "emeralds", tribe Trochilini of subfamily Trochilinae. It is endemic to the Guatapurí dry enclave on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, department of Cesar, northern Colombia. It is one of 24 bird species that are endemic to the Santa Marta highlands.

Habitat

The Santa Marta sabrewing is known only from the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada, in the highlands of the Guatapurí basin, west of Valledupar in northern Colombia. Because it is far from Santa Marta, and it is endemic to the most important basin in department of Cesar, a proposal to change its English standard name to Guatapurí sabrewing is being discussed. It inhabits the edges of humid forest, plantations (especially of bananas), and bushy páramo. In elevation it ranges from 1,200 to 2,400 m (3,900 to 7,900 ft).

Distribution

The Santa Marta sabrewing is known only from the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada, in the highlands of the Guatapurí basin, west of Valledupar in northern Colombia. Because it is far from Santa Marta, and it is endemic to the most important basin in department of Cesar, a proposal to change its English standard name to Guatapurí sabrewing is being discussed. It inhabits the edges of humid forest, plantations (especially of bananas), and bushy páramo. In elevation it ranges from 1,200 to 2,400 m (3,900 to 7,900 ft).

Diet

Almost nothing is known about the Santa Marta sabrewing's feeding strategy or diet. It has been documented feeding on flowering banana (Musa), Calliandra trees, Erythrina trees, and Malvaviscus flowers, specifically Malvaviscus concinnus. Is it also territorial.

Behavior

As of mid-2022 only one recording of the Santa Marta sabrewing is known. It makes "a plaintive double 'twit-twit', both in flight and display."

Reproduction

Santa Marta sabrewings in breeding condition have been found between April and June, and males have been seen displaying in June and July. Nothing else is known about the species' breeding phenology and its nest has not been described.

Growth and development

The Santa Marta sabrewing is about 13 cm (5.1 in) long. Both sexes have a decurved black bill, with the female's having more curvature, and both have a white spot behind the eye. Males' upperparts are glittering emerald green. They have a black face; their throat and breast are iridescent blue and the rest of their underparts dark green. Their tail is dark steely blue. The female has shining green upperparts and mostly grayish white underparts with green flanks and undertail coverts. Its tail is mostly green with grayish tips on the outermost pair of feathers.

Fun facts

Campylopterus phainopeplus has at times been placed in genus Saepiopterus. It is monotypic.

Location on the map

10.87°N, 73.72°W · Google Maps satellite

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