Sword-billed Hummingbird

This hummingbird has a very distinctive bill which is longer than its body, thus making for easy identification from any other bird or hummingbird. It can be found in the forests of the Andes in South America. 
 
The sword-billed hummingbird’s bill is longer than its body, thus enabling it to feed on flowers with long corollas, such as Brugmansia, Passiflora, Datura, and Fuchsia. When feeding, the tongue of a hummingbird extends beyond its bill and contracts about 13 times per second, allowing it to lap up nectar.
 
When the sword-billed hummingbird perches, it holds its beak almost vertical, thus reducing the strain on its neck.
 
Nests of most hummingbirds are tiny cups of foliage and green moss bound together with cobwebs. Two eggs will be deposited into these nests, which may be situated high or low, in a tree or shrub, and even dangling from an overhead support. 
 
Hummingbirds have a well developed sense of hearing, often retreating quickly at the clicking sound of a camera shutter.
 
I hope you enjoy reading this information Sword-billed hummingbird and hummingbirds in general. Let me know what you think and what other subjects you would like to see discussed in future post.  

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