Stripe-throated Hermit
Phaethornis striigularis
Small, inconspicuous hummingbird of humid tropical lowlands. Favors shady forest understory and edges, where feeds at all levels. Males sit and sing tirelessly from knee-high perches in the understory but, they can be very difficult to locate. Note the tiny size, striped face, arched bill, buffy underparts, and rusty rump patch. Squeak call in flight similar to Long-billed Hermit but softer and less explosive.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Phaethornis striigularis
- Authority
- Gould, 1854
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Phaethornis
Range and habitat
It occurs in southern Mexico (north-eastern Oaxaca and southern Veracruz east to southern Quintana Roo), Belize, north-eastern Guatemala, northern and eastern Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, western, central and northern Colombia (mainly Pacific lowlands and the Magdalena valley region), western Ecuador (south to El Oro) and north-eastern Venezuela (both slopes of the Andes and northern mountains). As far as known, it is essentially a resident species, but some local movements may occur.<p>This hummingbird is found in a wide range of wooded habitats, e.g. forest, woodland, clearings, thickets and gardens; typically in humid regions, but locally also in drier, deciduous habitats (e.g. in Ecuador). Mainly found in lowlands and foothills, it has exceptionally been recorded up to an altitude of 1,800 m (5,900 ft) ASL.<p>The stripe-throated hermit feeds on flower-nectar taken by trap-lining. It has also been observed piercing the base of flowers to get nectar that otherwise would be out of reach; sometimes it take small insects. Typically this species forages fairly low, only occasionally at canopy-level.<p>It is essentially solitary, but males form leks where they sing to attract females. The nest, a small cup with a dangling "tail" below it, consists of plant-material held together by spiderwebs. The two eggs are incubated entirely by the female and hatch after 15–16 days. Exact timing of breeding varies depending on region; in Ecuador for example a dependent fledgling was seen in early March.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Rufous-tailed Stipplethroat
Epinecrophylla erythrura
Brown antwren with reddish tail and wings. Head is gray in both sexes, fading into a warmer brown lower body. Cream wingbars. Slightly longer tailed than similar antwrens and typically forages higher in the midstory. Often joins mixed-species flocks with other antwrens and antshrikes. Listen for its song: a steady series of high, rising “pseet” notes.
Vega Gull
Larus vegae
A large, sturdy gull of East Asia. Adults have a fairly pale gray back, pale eye, and dull pinkish legs. Takes four years for immatures to progress from mostly brown to fully white and gray adult plumage; intermediate plumages are often mottled and messy. Extremely variable plumage can make identification tricky. Occurs inland and along the coast, frequenting river mouths, harbors, beaches, lakes, and ponds. Often forms flocks with other gulls. Back color of adults generally a shade darker than that of American Herring Gull. Very similar to Mongolian Gull, and separation is tricky, but has a larger head and bill; adults also generally have pinker legs.
Eurasian Kestrel
Falco tinnunculus
Small falcon with distinctive male plumage: gray head, rusty back, gray tail with broad black tip. Female is brownish above, with barring on the back, wings, and tail. Note rather pointed wingtips (unlike rounded wings of Accipiter hawks), and distinct dark spotting on the breast. Inhabits open and lightly wooded country, farmlands, grasslands, and heathlands; often seen over grassy areas beside roads and at airports. Perches on wires and posts, and typically hunts by hovering, at times fairly high overhead. Very similar to Lesser Kestrel.
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