Phaethornis squalidus
The Dusky-throated Hermit (Phaethornis squalidus) is a modest and often overlooked hummingbird, typically measuring 10-11 cm (4-4.3 in) in length and weighing a mere 2.5-3.5 grams. Its plumage is characterized by olive-green upperparts and dusky-grey underparts, giving it a cryptic appearance that blends seamlessly into the forest understory. Key field marks include a pale buffy supercilium, a dark malar stripe, and a dusky cheek, framing its small, dark eye. Its relatively short, decurved bi...
This species primarily inhabits the humid understory of lowland and montane Atlantic Forest, secondary growth, and forest borders, typically found from sea level up to 1,500 meters (4,900 ft) in elevation.
Its primary diet consists of nectar, predominantly from heliconias and other long-tubed flowers, supplemented by small spiders and insects gleaned from foliage or caught in flight.
The Dusky-throated Hermit is largely a solitary and diurnal bird, well-known for its 'trap-lining' foraging strategy, where individuals follow a fixed circuit of scattered flowering plants. Males engage in lekking behavior, gathering at traditional sites to sing and display to attract females, th...
The Dusky-throated Hermit is endemic to the Atlantic Forest biome of southeastern Brazil, extending southward into eastern Paraguay and northeastern Argentina. Its primary distribution lies within Brazil, encompassing states such as Bahia, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, ...
Least Concern
- The Dusky-throated Hermit is a master of 'trap-lining,' a foraging strategy where it repeatedly visits a fixed circuit of scattered flowers, memorizing their locations and blooming times for optimal nectar intake. - Unlike many flashy, iridescent hummingbirds, its dull, cryptic plumage allows i...