Phaethornis ruber
The Reddish Hermit (*Phaethornis ruber*) is a captivatingly small and distinctly colored hummingbird, typically measuring 8.8-9.4 cm in length and weighing a mere 2.3-2.5 grams. Its plumage is characterized by rich rufous-cinnamon underparts, contrasting with a greenish-bronze back and crown, giving it a vibrant yet camouflaged appearance in its forest home. Distinctive field marks include a long, strongly decurved bill with a dark maxilla and an orange mandible, a dark eye-line bordered by p...
This species primarily inhabits the understory of humid lowland rainforests and mature secondary growth, preferring dense vegetation near water sources. It is typically found at elevations from sea level up to 1200 meters, occasionally ranging higher locally.
The diet consists predominantly of nectar extracted from a variety of small, often pale or inconspicuous flowers, particularly those with long corollas. Small arthropods, such as spiders and insects, are also gleaned from foliage or caught in flight to supplement their sugar intake, especially fo...
Reddish Hermits are primarily diurnal, engaging in a 'trap-lining' foraging strategy where individuals repeatedly visit a circuit of flower patches, often singing from specific perches along their route. Males are polygynous and gather at traditional lek sites, often in small groups of 3-6, where...
The Reddish Hermit boasts a wide distribution across northern South America, being a resident species throughout its range without significant migratory movements. It is found from eastern Colombia and eastern Ecuador, across eastern Peru, northern Bolivia, and extensively throughout the Amazon B...
Least Concern
- The Reddish Hermit is one of the smallest species within the hermit hummingbird subfamily, a tiny jewel of the forest understory. - Its name, *ruber*, is Latin for 'red,' a direct reference to its striking rufous plumage. - Females construct a truly unique 'pendulum' nest, anchored by a single ...