The Sword-billed Hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera) is a species of hummingbird from South America and the sole member of the genus Ensifera. It is noted as the only species of bird to have a bill longer than the rest of its body. This adaptation is to feed on flowers with long corollas such as Passiflora mixta. The tongue is therefore also unusually long.
They can be found in the higher elevations (mostly above 2500 meters) in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. Guango Lodge in Ecuador is a good place although they kept to the flowers in the rear and away from the feeders when we were there-maybe because of the rain. I finally got a better look (pictures above) at the finca near Ventanas above Jardin. Huembo in norther Peru is another good place.
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VIDEOS
At Guango Lodge on a feeder
This brave little guy has to fight the rain to get at the flowers.
See how this one preens himself with his feet as his bill is so long. Also note how he holds his head with the bill pointing up, that thing must be heavy!