Hermit (hummingbird)

The hermits are tropical and subtropical hummingbirds in the subfamily Phaethornithinae, comprising 30–40 species in six genera. They occur from southern Mexico, through Central America, to South America as far south as northern Argentina.

Their plumage typically involves greens, browns, rufous or grey. Most species show some green or bronze iridescence to the upperparts, but this is far less conspicuous than that of many other hummingbirds. The male and female plumages of hermits are very similar, with differences limited to details of bill-shape, tail-shape and/or strength of colours/patterns. No species of hermit show the strong sexual dimorphism usually associated with hummingbirds.

Hermits in the type genus, Phaethornis, have a long decurved bill (three species, P. koepkeae, P. philippii and P. bourcieri, with virtually straight bills) with a red or yellow base to the lower mandible, and their two central tail feathers are elongated and tipped with white, buff or ochraceous. The crown of the head is flat, and two pale facial stripes enclose a dusky mask.

Most hermits are restricted to the edge and undergrowth of forest, woodland and second growth, but some species (e.g. the Planalto Hermit) also occur in more open habitats.

Many species of hermits form leks and congregate on traditional display grounds, where females visit to choose a mate. However, male hermits are generally less aggressive than other male hummingbirds, though both sexes will defend a feeding territory.

Most hermits are associated with heliconias, but will utilize other nectar sources (flowers of Centropogon, Passiflora, Costus, etc.). To a lesser degree, they will capture small arthropods. The long, decurved bills typical of this group of hummingbirds are an adaptation to certain flowers. This is taken to an extreme in the two sicklebills (Eutoxeres spp.) with their very decurved bills. Many species, including the Rufous-breasted Hermit, also use the heliconias for nesting, attaching their conical nest to the underside of one of the plant's broad leaves.

The taxonomy of some groups has changed significantly in recent years. Apart from those issues discussed at Phaethornis, a taxonomic problem occurs with the Threnetes leucurus/T. niger complex. Schuchmann & Hinkelmann (1999) considered the Sooty Barbthroat a melanistic variant of the T. leucurus, but as it was described first, its scientific name was adopted for the entire species; Pale-tailed Barbthroat (T. niger). This, however, has not been accepted by all authorities, notably SACC, which consider both T. niger and T. leucurus as valid species. Additionally, Mallet-Rodrigues (2006) suggested the taxon loehkeni should be considered a valid species, the Bronze-tailed Barbthroat.

Three additional species, the Tooth-billed Hummingbird (Androdon aequatorialis), the Green-fronted Lancebill (Doryfera ludovicae) and the Blue-fronted Lancebill (D. johannae), have been included in this subfamily in the past, but are now placed in Trochilinae.

Species in taxonomic order

 * 'Genus Ramphodon''
 * Saw-billed Hermit, Ramphodon naevius


 * 'Genus Eutoxeres''
 * White-tipped Sicklebill, Eutoxeres aquila
 * Buff-tailed Sicklebill, Eutoxeres condamini


 * 'Genus Glaucis''
 * Hook-billed Hermit, Glaucis dohrnii
 * Rufous-breasted Hermit or Hairy Hermit, Glaucis hirsuta
 * Bronzy Hermit, Glaucis aenea


 * 'Genus Threnetes''
 * Band-tailed Barbthroat, Threnetes ruckeri
 * Sooty Barbthroat, Threnetes niger
 * Pale-tailed Barbthroat, Threnetes (niger) leucurus
 * Bronze-tailed Hermit, Threnetes (niger) loehkeni


 * 'Genus Anopetia''
 * Broad-tipped Hermit, Anopetia gounellei


 * 'Genus Phaethornis''
 * Dusky-throated Hermit, Phaethornis squalidus
 * Streak-throated Hermit, Phaethornis rupurumii
 * Tapajós Hermit, Phaethorni aethopyga
 * Little Hermit, Phaethornis longuemareus
 * Minute Hermit, Phaethornis idaliae
 * Cinnamon-throated Hermit, Phaethornis nattereri
 * Maranhao Hermit, Phaethornis (nattereri) maranhaoensis
 * Black-throated Hermit, Phaethornis atrimentalis
 * Stripe-throated Hermit, Phaethornis striigularis
 * Dusky Hermit, Phaethornis (striigularis) saturatus
 * Gray-chinned Hermit, Phaethornis griseogularis
 * Reddish Hermit, Phaethornis ruber
 * White-browed Hermit, Phaethornis stuarti
 * Buff-bellied Hermit, Phaethornis subochraceus
 * Sooty-capped Hermit, Phaethornis augusti
 * Planalto Hermit, Phaethornis pretrei
 * Scale-throated Hermit, Phaethornis eurynome
 * Pale-bellied Hermit, Phaethornis anthophilus
 * White-bearded Hermit, Phaethornis hispidus
 * White-whiskered Hermit, Phaethornis yaruqui
 * Green Hermit, Phaethornis guy
 * Tawny-bellied Hermit, Phaethornis syrmatophorus
 * Koepcke's Hermit, Phaethornis koepckeae
 * Needle-billed Hermit, Phaethornis philippii
 * Straight-billed Hermit, Phaethornis bourcieri
 * Long-billed Hermit or Western Long-tailed Hermit, Phaethornis longirostris
 * Mexican Hermit, Phaethornis (longirostris) mexicanus
 * Baron's Hermit, Phaethornis (longirostris) baroni
 * (Eastern) Long-tailed Hermit, Phaethornis superciliosus
 * Great-billed Hermit, Phaethornis malaris
 * Margaretta's Hermit, Phaethornis (malaris) margarettae