Phaethornis syrmatophorus
The Tawny-bellied Hermit (Phaethornis syrmatophorus) is a striking medium-sized hummingbird, easily identified by its distinctive tawny-ochraceous underparts contrasting with a dark greenish-bronze back. Measuring approximately 14 cm in length, including its elongated central tail feathers, and weighing between 4 and 6 grams, it possesses the characteristic strongly decurved bill of the hermit subfamily, Phaethornithinae. A prominent dark facial mask is bordered by a pale supercilium and mala...
This hermit primarily inhabits subtropical and tropical moist montane forests, cloud forests, and their edges, often in areas with dense undergrowth. It is typically found at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 2,800 meters above sea level.
Primarily feeds on nectar from a diverse range of flowering plants, including Heliconias, Centropogons, and bromeliads, supplemented by small arthropods gleaned from foliage or caught in flight.
Tawny-bellied Hermits are diurnal birds, active from dawn until dusk, often roosting inconspicuously within dense vegetation. Their foraging strategy is a classic example of 'trap-lining,' where individuals repeatedly visit a fixed circuit of scattered flowering plants, remembering the locations ...
The Tawny-bellied Hermit is a resident species found exclusively in the Andean cloud forests of South America. Its primary distribution extends through the Western and Central Andes of Colombia, across both eastern and western slopes of Ecuador, and into northern Peru. Specifically, the subspecie...
Least Concern
- The Tawny-bellied Hermit gets its name from its distinctive rufous-ochraceous underparts, a key identification feature. - Like many hermits, it is a 'trap-line' forager, meaning it visits a fixed circuit of scattered flowers, remembering the nectar availability of each. - Its long, strongly dec...