Appearance
Sword-billed hummingbirds are found perched on the mid to upper level branches of neotropical trees. Its length ranges 13 to 14 cm from the tail tip to the base of the bill, with males slightly larger on average than females. The bill can additionally be over 10 cm long. Individuals weigh between 10-15 g making it one of the largest species of hummingbirds. As is characteristic of hummingbirds, "E. ensifera" is able to fly backwards and hover in the air. It also exhibits higher than average wing-disc loading than other members of its family."E. ensifera" displays sexual dimorphism where plumage varies between males and females. Males have a coppery bronze head, bronze green back, bright green underbelly, blackish green throat, and bronze green tail. Females have a similarly colored head and back, a white belly speckled with green, a more olive colored throat, and grayish white edging around the tail.
Distribution
"Ensifera ensifera" is a neotropical hummingbird found throughout tropical montane cloud forests of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. It is found at higher elevations of 1700 to 3300 meters, but the most common occurrences are between 2400 and 3100 meters. This is a preferred habitat due to the concentration of nectar producing flowers. It is a year-round resident of all 3 Andes ranges with no known migration patterns. While the species is considered to have stable numbers and a wide geographic range, it is unevenly distributed and hard to find, making the species difficult to research.
Status
The sword-billed hummingbird is considered of "Least Concern" by the IUCN. There is no sign of population decline or visible threats to the species. There is also no census on global number of individuals, because of the large range of occurrence and uncommon sightings. Climate change and deforestation are the two most probable threats to "E. ensifera" in the future since this can lead to habitat loss and decreased food sources, especially of "Passiflora mixta."
Habitat
"Ensifera ensifera" is a neotropical hummingbird found throughout tropical montane cloud forests of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. It is found at higher elevations of 1700 to 3300 meters, but the most common occurrences are between 2400 and 3100 meters. This is a preferred habitat due to the concentration of nectar producing flowers. It is a year-round resident of all 3 Andes ranges with no known migration patterns. While the species is considered to have stable numbers and a wide geographic range, it is unevenly distributed and hard to find, making the species difficult to research.
Reproduction
Females and males are polygamous and may mate with several individuals to increase reproductive success. Eggs are laid usually between February and March and only the female stays to feed and guard the nest. Further research should be conducted on the number of broods and survival of offspring since little is known.
Food
The sword-billed hummingbird is a specialist species, feeding on the nectar of specific flowers. Its abnormally long beak allows it to feed from flowers with long corollas, especially from the family Passiflora and Datura, which includes the most heavily hummingbird-pollinated plant species. "E. ensifera" usually drinks while in flight and is a trap-line feeder, visiting the same flowers in a consistent, patterned sequence. This promotes flower pollination and outcrossing.References:
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