White-browed Hermit
Phaethornis stuarti
Small, orangey hermit of Andean foothills. Orange below, with a black mask, white eyebrow, and green back. Extremely similar to the Reddish Hermit; where they overlap they are typically not separable in the field. White-browed Hermit occupies higher elevations around the base of the Andes than Reddish Hermit, which is found in the lowlands. Sings at leks around the understory of mature rainforest, a repeated accelerating series of high "seet" notes.
Identification
The white-browed hermit is 10 cm (4 in) long and weighs 2.5 g (0.09 oz). Sexes are similar, but males have a narrow black breast band and females have longer central tail feathers with paler tips. The facial pattern includes a distinct whitish supercilium and white throat. The bill is black above and yellow below.<p>The species is difficult to distinguish from the very similar Reddish Hermit (Phaethornis ruber) which generally occurs at lower elevations, and identification criteria between the two species is still not well known. White-browed Hermit may be slightly paler with more bronze coloration in the tail.
Taxonomy
The white-browed hermit has been suggested to be conspecific with the reddish hermit (P. ruber) "but they are clearly separate species". The white-browed hermit is monotypic.
- Scientific name
- Phaethornis stuarti
- Authority
- Hartert, EJO, 1897
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Genus
- Phaethornis
Range and habitat
The white-browed hermit's range extends along the base of the Andes from central Peru south to central Bolivia, in an elevational band from 350 m to 1400 m. The species is generally encountered most often within forest interior, although individuals occasionally forage along forest edge.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The white-browed hermit is assumed to be sedentary.<p>Like most hummingbirds, the white-browed hermit feeds mostly on nectar from a variety of flowers, but also consumes some small arthropods. <p>The white-browed hermit's breeding phenology has not been documented.<p>The white-browed hermit's song is "a descending, accelerating series of high-pitched notes, 'tseee-tsee-tsee-tsi-ti-tututu' interspersed by quiet 'tewp' notes."
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Russet-winged Schiffornis
Schiffornis stenorhyncha
A chunky, dark brown bird of the forest understory. Occurs in the lowlands from Panama to Venezuela and Colombia. Uniform color, but slightly warmer rufous on wings and crown. Fairly large hooked bill is reminiscent of a vireo. Skulky and difficult to see; most often detected by voice. Listen for three-parted whistled song with one long note followed by two shorter notes.
Baird's Flycatcher
Myiodynastes bairdii
Large, stout-billed flycatcher restricted to arid areas and oases of northwestern Peru and western Ecuador. Distinctive in range, with yellow belly, chestnut wings and tail, and black mask. It does not occur together with the similar Golden-crowned Flycatcher, which is a cloud forest species. Typically sits high up on a tree, pole, wire, or other elevated perch. Sallies out to catch insects, and also regularly eats fruit.
Jamaican Vireo
Vireo modestus
A small inhabitant of thickets in woodlands and scrublands where it feeds by actively searching for insects within tangles; avoids mangroves and well-manicured woodlands that lack dense undergrowth. The Greater Antillean Elaenia shares this species’ wingbars and overall dull coloration, but the elaenia has prominent whitish markings around the eye and is usually found perched upright or flycatching. The Jamaican Vireo’s song includes a “chi-wee, chi-wee, chi-wee, chi-wee, you,” a “chi-wuh, chi-wuh, chi-wuh, zha,” and a “wee-wee-zhrr.” Calls include “jip,” given singly or in a series, and a harsh upslurred “zhweee.”
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