Rufous-breasted Sabrewing

Common within its narrow tepui range and one of the easier tepui endemics — conspicuous and confiding, especially at forest edge and disturbed areas. Most numerous on Sierra de Lema (~1,300-1,450 m).

Large, conspicuous hummingbird: coppery/glossy green above with a reddish tinge, purplish-brown wings, and entirely rufous underparts. Extensively rufous outer tail feathers (uniform rufous, no black bar) are easily seen as the bird frequently flares its tail. Sabre-like thickened, flattened outer primaries typical of the genus.

Edge of sloping wet/humid tepui forest and disturbed/second-growth areas, roughly 1,200-2,600 m; favors flowering edge, gaps, and roadside vegetation.

Bold and territorial; perches conspicuously, frequently flares and pumps the rufous tail, and defends flowering patches. Visits flowering shrubs at forest edge and will come to roadside flowers, giving repeated long looks.

Song a series of chip notes; foraging note a weak, nasal, strained 'sqeeek'; in territorial interactions a rich, sharp note (often doubled) repeated incessantly (recalls Gray-breasted Sabrewing), plus a single ascending burry note, likely alarm. Search Xeno-canto and Macaulay Library for 'Campylopterus hyperythrus' / 'Rufous-breasted Sabrewing.'

Almost guaranteed along the Sierra de Lema road — work flowering roadside edge and gaps in early morning; the bird perches openly and flares its all-rufous tail, so let clients watch a defended flower patch rather than chasing, and use the uniform rufous tail (no black bar) as the clincher versus other sabrewings.