Violet Sabrewing

The Violet Sabrewing (Campylopterus hemileucurus) ranges from south Mexico to west Panama. This bird prefers understory and edges of mountain forest, especially streamsides and ravines; also lives in patches of woods, old second growth, and banana plantations. Its size is of 15 cm (6 inches) in height and 11 g in weight.

In males, its head, underparts and upper back are deep violet. Wing-coverts and posterior upperparts are dark green. Females are above entirely dark green, and below gray with violet gorget. Bill and feet black. It feeds on Heliconia, bananas, and understory shrubs.