Black-throated Hermit
Phaethornis atrimentalis
Small hummingbird with a long white-tipped tail. Its rufous underparts, green back, and striped face are features typical of many hermits, but the dark throat and white vent help separate it from other similar species. Inhabits rainforest understory in lowlands east of the Andes and in adjacent foothills. It is difficult to see well as it zips between flowers in the gloom. Sometimes gives a high-pitched, squeaky song from a low perch.
Identification
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.
Taxonomy
The black-throated hermit was for a time considered a subspecies of little hermit (P. longuemareus), but is more closely related to the reddish hermit (P. ruber) and grey-chinned hermit (P. griseogularis). It has two subspecies, the nominate P. a. atrimentalis and P. a. riojae.
- Scientific name
- Phaethornis atrimentalis
- Authority
- Lawrence, 1858
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Phaethornis
Range and habitat
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.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The black-throated hermit is believed to be sedentary.<p>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.<p>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.<p>The black-throated hermit's song is "a high-pitched phrase repeated incessantly without pauses between phrases...e.g. 'tsee ... tsee ... tsee ... tsee .. tseeetew'." Its call is "a high-pitched 'pseep!'" that is usually given in flight.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Bearded Scrub-Robin
Tychaedon quadrivirgata
Pretty robin with a brown back, boldly marked face, and unstreaked rufous chest. Found in broadleaved woodland, moist savanna, and thickets. Shy bird that generally skulks in thick undergrowth. Song is a variable, musical series of whistles. Certain two-noted phrases can be repeated many times. Similar to Red-backed Scrub-Robin, but lacks white wings bars, and shows a rufous breast without streaks.
Jamaican Woodpecker
Melanerpes radiolatus
A striking medium-sized species of wooded habitats. The white face framed by the red of its nape and crown and its finely barred black-and-white back is distinctive; resembles no other species in its range. Sometimes first detected by its determined excavation of rotting wood. Vocalizations include an emphatic, slightly rough “urp,” and a burry “urr-urr-urr-urr” given as a rapid rolling burst.
Chatham Islands Parakeet
Cyanoramphus forbesi
Medium-sized bright green parakeet mainly restricted to Mangere and Little Mangere Islands on the Chatham Islands of New Zealand. Note distinctive yellow crown above a red forehead. Due to hybridization with Red-crowned Parakeet, some birds have red extending to and beyond the eye and a crown that varies from yellow-orange to orange-red. Males are larger than females. Will feed out in the open on flowering flax as well as in forest habitats. Commonly seen on the ground, scratching the surface like a chicken. Chatters quietly while feeding and often calls in flight. Forms small flocks in autumn and winter. Red-crowned Parakeet is present in the same habitat but lacks yellow on crown and has an obvious red band extending to, and beyond, the eye.
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