Species profile
About this species
The Sword-billed Hummingbird is a remarkable species native to the Andes of South America, renowned for having the longest bill relative to body size of any bird in the world. Its bill can exceed 10 cm in length, allowing it to feed exclusively from long-tubed flowers such as angel's trumpets. It is the only bird species in which the bill is longer than the rest of the body.
The Sword-billed Hummingbird inhabits cloud forests & forest edges along the Andes mountain range, typically at elevations between 1,700 & 3,500 metres, ranging from Venezuela & Colombia south through Ecuador, Peru & Bolivia.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Sword-billed Hummingbird with us in Colombia & Peru.
These departures are part of our South America programme.
In the field, David Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Early morning hours between dawn & 9am offer the best light & highest feeding activity. The dry season months of June to September are generally most productive as flowers are abundant & birds are more consistently active at known feeding sites.
Position yourself near known feeding flowers such as Datura or Passiflora species & pre-focus on the bloom to capture the bird as it arrives. Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/2000s to freeze the rapid wingbeats & avoid motion blur on the wings. A telephoto lens of 300-500mm will allow you to maintain a respectful distance while still filling the frame with this extraordinary bird.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Sword-billed Hummingbird
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.