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sword-billed hummingbird
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Body plans of hummingbirds.
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sword-billed hummingbird

bird
Also known as: Ensifera ensifera, swordbill
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Quick Summary

Body plans of hummingbirds.
Body plans of hummingbirds.

The sword-billed hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera) is a South American hummingbird known for its exceptionally long, slender bill, which is longer than the rest of its body. Hummingbirds, belonging to the family Trochilidae, are small birds found exclusively in the Americas, with the greatest diversity in South America. They are renowned for their vibrant, iridescent plumage and their remarkable ability to fly forward, backward, sideways, and hover in place by rapidly beating their wings.123

Hummingbirds feed primarily on nectar from flowers, using their specialized bills and long tongues. They also consume insects and spiders. The sword-billed hummingbird's unique bill is an adaptation for feeding on specific types of flowers. While most hummingbirds exhibit sexual dimorphism, with males being more colorful, the sword-billed hummingbird's most striking feature is its bill length.23

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  1. swordbill
  2. hummingbird
  3. apodiform

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