Black-throated Hermit

Overview

The black-throated hermit (Phaethornis atrimentalis) is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, although its population size remains undetermined and is believed to be decreasing.

Identification

• Generally greenish upperparts with a reddish rump and a white-tipped dark tail.
• Dark brown throat with cinnamon red underparts and whitish undertail coverts; males often have a dark band between the throat and breast, while females have lighter throats and longer wings.
• Approximately 9 to 10 cm long, with the subspecies P. a. riojae being larger than the nominate.
• Song consists of a high-pitched phrase repeated incessantly without pauses, such as 'tsee ... tsee ... tsee', and includes a high-pitched 'pseep!' call usually given in flight.

Habitat

Found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, the species inhabits the understory of rainforests (especially edges), secondary forest, and open landscapes such as plantations and swamp forest. It is mostly a bird of the lowlands but can be found as high as 1,500 m south of Peru's Marañón River.

Diet

As a trap-line feeder, it visits a circuit of flowering plants of many species for nectar. It also consumes small arthropods.

Did you know?

The species was for a time considered a subspecies of the little hermit (P. longuemareus), but is now recognised as more closely related to the reddish hermit and grey-chinned hermit.