White-bearded Hermit

Overview

The white-bearded hermit (Phaethornis hispidus) is a medium-sized hummingbird belonging to the family Trochilidae. It is assessed as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN, despite an unknown and believed decreasing population size.

Identification

• Approximately 13 to 14 cm long and weighing between 4 and 6 g, featuring bronzy green upperparts and grey underparts.
• Distinctive facial markings include a black 'mask' with a white supercilium and malar stripe, alongside a white stripe in the center of the throat.
• Females possess identical plumage to males but exhibit shorter wings and a shorter, more decurved bill.
• Song consists of a continuous series of high-pitched single notes described as 'seep', typically sung from a low perch, with a call described as a short explosive 'pip!'.

Habitat

Found in Amazonia from the Andean foothills of western and southern Venezuela through eastern Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru to northeastern Bolivia and western Amazonian Brazil. It inhabits humid landscapes, favoring regularly inundated areas such as rivers and várzea forest in the lowlands, and gallery forest in the cerrado and llanos at higher elevations. The species usually ranges up to 850 m but has been recorded up to 1,200 m in Peru.

Diet

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

Did you know?

The bird builds a cone-shaped nest that is suspended from the underside of a drooping leaf. Each clutch consists of two eggs.