Straight-billed Hermit

Overview

The straight-billed hermit (Phaethornis bourcieri) is a species of hummingbird found across northern and central South America. It is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with populations believed to be stable and common throughout its extensive range.

Identification

• A small hummingbird measuring 12 to 14 cm in length and weighing 3.5 to 5 g.
• One of the few hermits with a straight bill, unlike the curved bills of related species.
• Olive green upperparts and brownish to grayish underparts.
• Innermost tail feathers are longer than the others and feature long white tips; other tail feathers also have white tips.
• Song described as a high-pitched phrase repeated with short dull notes, such as 'tsii'ti'ti'tsii...tip...tip'.

Habitat

Found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela, mostly inhabiting the understory of terra firme forest and adjacent semi-deciduous and foothill forests. It occasionally uses other landscapes, including várzea forest, bamboo thickets, plantations, and secondary forest, reaching elevations up to 1,600 m in southern Venezuela.

Diet

Acts as a 'trap-line' feeder, visiting a circuit of various flowering plants to drink nectar. It also consumes small arthropods.

Did you know?

The species builds a long cone-shaped nest from plant fibers and spider silk, which is suspended under the tip of a long drooping leaf.