Locally fairly common but a restricted-range Pantepui specialty; reliable only on a handful of tepui-slope sites, hardest part is reaching the habitat rather than the bird itself once you are in the zone.
Field marks
Large, robust sabrewing (~12 cm). Bronzy-green upperparts, distinctly buff/cinnamon-buff underparts and buff outer tail, with a small whitish post-ocular spot. Slightly decurved black bill; thickened, bent outer primaries (the 'sabrewing' shafts). Sexes similar. The buff wash below + buff tail separates it from all sympatric tepui hummers.
Habitat
Humid and wet borders of low, dense, mossy stunted forest, shrubby tepui-slope scrub, forest edge and clearings with scattered small trees, 1,200–2,400 m.
Behavior
Territorial; usually solitary or in pairs at flowering shrubs and trees at forest edge. Perches conspicuously to defend nectar sources; pugnacious toward other hummingbirds.
Voice
Buzzy chipping notes 'chzzi' and a longer dry chattering series 'chi-zizi' or 'chizizizizizi'; song poorly described. Search 'Campylopterus duidae' on Xeno-canto and Macaulay Library / eBird (eBird code bubsab1).
Gray-breasted Sabrewing (Campylopterus largipennis) — larger, grayish underparts and bold white tail corners, lower elevations; lacks buff tones.
Sooty-capped Hermit and other tepui hermits — long decurved bill, very different jizz, but beginners may confuse any large brownish hummer.
Guide note
Work flowering Clusia, melastomes and roadside Cavendishia along the upper Sierra de Lema road early morning; scan exposed perches at edge clearings. Emphasize the buff underparts + buff tail combo so clients lock the ID before it darts off.
