Canonical URL: https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/sword-billed-hummingbird/ Species photography guide # Sword-billed Hummingbird Photography Holidays *Ensifera ensifera* Explore our Sword-billed Hummingbird photography holidays in [Peru](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/south-america/peru/), planned to give photographers proper time with this species during the best seasonal conditions.Our small-group photography holidays prioritise time in the field, light, behaviour, positioning & repeatable photographic opportunities rather than rushed wildlife viewing. [View trips](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/sword-billed-hummingbird/#nl-species-trips)[Where](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/sword-billed-hummingbird/#nl-species-where)[Field notes](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/sword-billed-hummingbird/#nl-species-field-notes)[Related species](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/sword-billed-hummingbird/#nl-species-related) ![Sword-billed Hummingbird photography holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/A-Wire-crested-Thorntail-photographed-in-Peru-by-our-co-leader-Steve-Sanchez-1024x715.jpg) ## At a glance Trips1 associated holiday Where[Peru](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/south-america/peru/) Led by[David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) 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. **Habitat** 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. [Species background](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sword-billed_hummingbird) Where to photograph ## Where our trips feature this species You can photograph Sword-billed Hummingbird with us in [Peru](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/south-america/peru/). These departures are part of our [South America](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/south-america/) programme. In the field, [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) helps guests make the most of these encounters. Field notes ## Photography notes **Best time** 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. **Approach** 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. Connected wildlife ## Often seen on the same trips On the trips associated with this species, photographers may also encounter: [Amethyst Woodstar](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/amethyst-woodstar/)[Andean Cock-of-the-Rock](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/andean-cock-of-the-rock/)[Black-throated Mango](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/black-throated-mango/)[Blue-Necked Tanager](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/blue-necked-tanager/)[Chestnut-breasted Coronet](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/chestnut-breasted-coronet/)[Collared Inca](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/collared-inca/)[Crested Quetzal](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/crested-quetzal/)[Long-tailed Sylph](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/long-tailed-sylph/)[Marvelous Spatuletail](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/marvelous-spatuletail/)[Royal Sunangel](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/royal-sunangel/) 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. #### Guide connection David Miles leads trips where guests have the chance to photograph Sword-billed Hummingbird in the field. [Meet David](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) ![Peru’s Ultimate Hummingbirds](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/A-Wire-crested-Thorntail-photographed-in-Peru-by-our-co-leader-Steve-Sanchez-1024x715.jpg) #### Related holiday Peru’s Ultimate Hummingbirds gives guests time in Peru where Sword-billed Hummingbird can be part of the day's wildlife encounters. [View trip](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/peru/perus-ultimate-hummingbirds/) Route Destination Signature Destination The photography holidays listed below operate in regions & habitats where the Sword-billed Hummingbird is regularly encountered. As with all wildlife photography, sightings can never be guaranteed, but our itineraries are designed around seasonal behaviour, suitable habitat, & photographic opportunity, giving you the best possible chance of meaningful encounters in the field. Our small-group approach allows time in the field to adapt to conditions, behaviour, & photographic opportunities as they unfold. You can photograph the Sword-billed Hummingbird in Peru. During our photography holidays, the Sword-billed Hummingbird is often photographed alongside Amethyst Woodstar, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Black-throated Mango, Blue-Necked Tanager, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, & Collared Inca. Seasonal presence & photographic opportunity vary by location & time of year. Single occupancy Maximum 5 guests Experienced guidance Guided by David - [![Join Us For The Peru’s Ultimate Hummingbirds Photography Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/A-Wire-crested-Thorntail-photographed-in-Peru-by-our-co-leader-Steve-Sanchez-1024x715.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/peru/perus-ultimate-hummingbirds/) Limited Places ### 9th - 23rd Jan 2028 - Peru’s Ultimate Hummingbirds **Location:** Peru Travel to Peru with us for a wildlife photography holiday, during January 2028, focused on hummingbirds photographed with both natural & controlled setups. **14 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **Was: £6999 Now: £6749** Guided By **David Miles** [View Peru’s Ultimate Hummingbirds](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/peru/perus-ultimate-hummingbirds/) -