Discover

Today
Animals
Explore
Archive
Search

Use it

Classroom
Resources
Field lab
Quiz
Saved

Trust

Methodology
Sources
Corrections
Accessibility
Contributors

Details

About
Contact
Privacy
Terms
Newsletter

Animal profile

Sword-billed Hummingbird

Ensifera ensifera

AvesHumid montane and cloud forest of the northern Andes, mostly between 1,700 and 3,500 metresLeast Concern

Field profile

The sword-billed hummingbird is a large Andean hummingbird with a bill longer than the rest of its body. It feeds at long tubular flowers, particularly Passiflora species, that few other nectar feeders can reach. It is the only member of its genus.

Scope note

This is an editorial profile, not a diagnostic field-identification guide or a substitute for current conservation assessments. Follow the cited sources on each fact for the evidence trail.

Published field notes

2025-11-07

Sword-billed Hummingbird

This hummingbird must preen with its feet

The sword-billed hummingbird's bill is longer than its head, body and tail combined, the only bird with that proportion. The bill is too long to reach its own plumage, so the bird preens using its feet instead of its bill.

Read with evidence →

Sword-billed Hummingbird | Daily Animal Facts