Rufous Sabrewing

Guatemala

Jul 17

Rufous Sabrewing (Pampa rufa)

Name Origin:
The genus Pampa is derived from Quechua, meaning “a flat open plain,” though the name’s relevance is historical rather than ecological. The species name rufa is Latin for “reddish” or “rufous,” referring to the bird’s overall rich coloration.

Quick Facts

🪶 Length: 11–12.5 cm (4.3–4.9 in)
⚖️ Weight: ~6.5–7.5 g (0.23–0.26 oz)
🌎 Range: Southern Mexico to northern El Salvador
🧭 Elevation: 900–2,100 m
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small insects
🏡 Habitat: Humid montane forest, pine-oak woodland, and adjacent second growth
🧬 Clade: Trochilini (a.k.a. “emeralds”)
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)

Subspecies & Distribution

Monotypic — no subspecies recognized.

Species Overview

The Rufous Sabrewing is a large, powerfully built hummingbird, often seen patrolling flowering trees in highland forests. It is distinctive for its warm rufous underparts, greenish-bronze upperparts, and thick, slightly decurved bill. It is one of the more vocal and conspicuous sabrewings, frequently heard before it is seen.

Male Description:
Bronzy-green above with deep rufous underparts, slightly darker crown, and a broad white stripe behind the eye. Bill is black with a dusky lower mandible. Tail is rufous with dark subterminal band and pale tips.

Female Description:
Similar to the male but paler below with more buffy wash and less intense rufous. Bill may show more pale coloration at the base of the lower mandible.

Habitat & Behavior:
Favors humid montane environments and transitional pine-oak forest. Found along forest edges, clearings, and in flowering gardens at mid-elevations. Often perches openly and is moderately territorial. Forages at low to mid-level blooms and frequently visits feeders in its limited range. Its wingbeats produce a low hum, and its call is a repeated sharp “chip” or buzzy trill.

Conservation Note:
Although limited in range, the Rufous Sabrewing remains fairly common within suitable highland habitats of southern Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. Some local threats include deforestation and habitat fragmentation, but populations are currently stable. Protected areas in Chiapas and Guatemala offer key refuge for this highland species.