Streak-throated Hermit

Overview

The streak-throated hermit (Phaethornis rupurumii), also known as the Rupurumi hermit, is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It was historically considered a subspecies of the dusky-throated hermit but is now recognized as a distinct species with two subspecies.

Identification

• Males and females are generally alike, measuring 10 to 12.1 cm in length and weighing 2.5 to 3 g.
• Plumage is generally brownish with a greenish back and brownish grey underparts.
• Features a black "mask" with a white supercilium and malar stripe, and a very dark brown throat that appears streaky.
• Song is described as an incessant 'tsi tsi jéb dé tsi tsi jéb dé' or 'eesee-eesee-eesee, eesee-eesee-eesee-swur', typically sung from a perch near the ground.

Habitat

Found in Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, and Venezuela, the species inhabits the understory at rainforest edges and the interior of várzea forest, as well as drier landscapes such as semi-deciduous and gallery forest, scrublands, river islands, and secondary forest. It is primarily a bird of the lowlands but reaches up to 500 m in Venezuela and Guyana.

Diet

The streak-throated hermit feeds on nectar and small arthropods, although specific details regarding its foraging technique have not been published.

Did you know?

The species is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN despite its population size and trend being unknown, as it appears to be locally common even though it remains very poorly known.