Black-throated hermit
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Phaethornis atrimentalis

The black-throated hermit (Phaethornis atrimentalis ) is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

Appearance

The black-chinned hermit is about 9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 3.9 in) long, with P. a. riojae being larger than the nominate. The species has generally greenish upperparts with a reddish rump and a white-tipped dark tail. The throat is dark brown and the rest of the underparts cinnamon red but for whitish undertail coverts. Males often have a dark band between the throat and breast. Females are similar to males but their throat is lighter and they generally have longer wings.

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Biogeographical realms

The nominate subspecies of black-chinned hermit is found in the eastern Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, and northern Peru's Loreto department. P. a. riojae is found further south, in central Peru between the departments of San Martín and Pasco. The species inhabits the understory of rainforest (especially it edges), secondary forest, and more open landscapes such as plantations and swamp forest. It is mostly a bird of the lowlands but is found as high as 1,500 m (4,900 ft) south of Peru's Marañón River.

Black-throated hermit habitat map
Black-throated hermit habitat map
Black-throated hermit
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Habits and Lifestyle

The black-throated hermit is believed to be sedentary.

Lifestyle
Seasonal behavior
Bird's call

Diet and Nutrition

The black-throated hermit is a "trap-line" feeder like other hermit hummingbirds, visiting a circuit of flowering plants of many species for nectar. It also consumes small arthropods.

Mating Habits

The black-throated hermit's breeding phenology has not been documented. Observations indicate that its breeding season includes July and November in Peru and September in Ecuador.

Population

Population number

The IUCN has assessed the black-throated hermit as being of Least Concern, though its population size has not been determined and is believed to be decreasing. It is found in a few protected areas.

References

1. Black-throated hermit Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-throated_hermit
2. Black-throated hermit on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22733197/95055412
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/706546

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