Black-throated Hermit (Phaethornis atrimentalis)

Identification & Behavior: ~11 cm (4.3 in). The Black-throated Hermit is mainly dull brownish green above with a buff-tinged rump. It has a black mask through the eye, bordered above and below with whitish-buff stripes. The throat is gray to dusky. The underparts are dull tawny. The bill is long and slightly decurved, with a mostly yellow lower mandible. The central feathers of the tapered tail are slightly longer than the rest and are white-tipped. It is similar to the Reddish Hermit but is distinguished by larger size, overall duller and darker coloration, and gray to dusky throat.  Also, see Gray-chinned Hermit.

Status: The Black-throated Hermit is uncommon in the forest understory in Amazonia where it ranges up to 1000 m along the foothill of the Andes. It appears not to occur on the east side of the Ucayali and nor the north side of the Napo Rivers. It also occurs in Co and Ec.

Name in Spanish: Ermitaño de Garganta Negra.

Sub-species: Black-throated Hermit (Phaethornis atrimentalis atrimentalis) Lawrence, 1858. E Andes of Colombia, Ecuador and N Peru (Loreto).
(Phaethornis atrimentalis riojae), Berlepsch 1889. Foothills of C Peru (San Martín S to Pasco).

Meaning of Name: Phaethornis: Gr. Phao= sun sunshine, and ornis= bird. atrimentalis: L. ater= black and mentum, menti= chin.

See more of the Family Trochilidae