Hook-billed Hermit

Overview

The hook-billed hermit is a threatened species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae that is endemic to a small area of Brazil. It is currently listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with its population estimated at under 10,000 mature individuals.

Identification

• A small hummingbird measuring 12 to 13 cm in length, with males weighing between 6 and 9 g and females between 5.5 and 7 g.
• Plumage features greenish bronze upperparts and cinnamon underparts, which are somewhat paler in females.
• The face is dusky with a white supercilium and 'moustache', while the tail is metallic bronze with white-tipped outer feathers.
• The bill is nearly straight, and the song is described as a rapid 'seep-seep-seep' or a descending series of 'seee' notes.

Habitat

Found only at a few sites in the southeastern Brazilian states of Bahia and Espírito Santo, it inhabits the understory of inland primary and littoral forests, usually along streams. The species favours areas with abundant Heliconia plants and ranges in elevation from sea level to 500 m.

Diet

As a 'trap-line' feeder, the bird visits a circuit of flowering plants to feed on nectar, particularly from Heliconia species, and also consumes small arthropods.

Did you know?

The hook-billed hermit is monotypic and was historically placed in the genus Ramphodon, though morphological characteristics now firmly classify it within Glaucis.