The
violet sabrewing (
Campylopterus hemileucurus) is a species of
hummingbird in the tribe
Trochilini, sometimes known as the emeralds. It is the largest hummingbird of Mexico and Central America, being 13 to 15 centimetres (5 to 6 in) long with a weight of 9 to 12 grams (0.3 to 0.4 oz). Both sexes have a black bill. There are two subspecies,
C. h. hemileucurus and
C. h. mellitus. This male
C. h. mellitus violet sabrewing in flight was photographed in the Mount Totumas cloud forest in Panama.
Photograph credit: Charles J. Sharp