White-browed hermit

The white-browed hermit (Phaethornis stuarti) is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is found in the Andean foothills and adjacent lowlands in Bolivia and Peru. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest.

White-browed hermit

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Phaethornis
Species:
P. stuarti
Binomial name
Phaethornis stuarti
Hartert, 1897

Description

It 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.

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.[2]

Distribution and habitat

The 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.

Behaviour

Feeding

Like most hummingbirds, it feeds mostly on nectar from a variety of flowers, but also consumes some small insects. Preferred food plants include Heliconia species.

Breeding

Males assemble at leks for courtship. The song is described as a high series of descending, accelerating notes.

References
  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Phaethornis stuarti". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Schulenberg, Thomas; et al. (2007). Birds of Peru. Princeton University Press. p. 214.


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