Reddish Hermit (Phaethornis ruber)

Identification & Behavior: ~8 cm (3.1 in). The Reddish Hermit is mostly cinnamon-rufous. The male has a black band across the breast, which is reduced or absent in the overall duller female. Both sexes have a reduced or narrow black mask through the eye, bordered above with a rufous stripe. It has no noticeable stripe bordering the mask below. The bill is long and slightly decurved, with a mostly yellow lower mandible. The tapered tail feathers are tipped with whitish-buff. It is similar to the White-browed Hermit but is distinguished by a reduced or narrow black mask bordered by a rufous stripe above, rufous throat, and more extensive rufous back and rump. Also, see Black-throated Hermit.

Status: The Reddish Hermit is uncommon and widespread in Amazonia where it is known to range up to 900 m along the foothill of the Andes. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Ermitaño Rojizo.

Sub-species: Reddish Hermit (Phaethornis ruber ruber), Linnaeus 1758. Brazil to SE Peru and N Bolivia.
(Phaethornis ruber nigricinctus), Lawrence 1858.  E & S Colombia S to E Ecuador, NE Peru and NW Brazil.
(Phaethornis ruber longipennis), Berlepsch and Stolzmann 1902. Foothills in SE Peru (Pasco to N Cuzco).

Meaning of Name: Phaethornis: Gr. Phao= sun sunshine, and Ornis= bird. ruber: L. red.

See more of the Family Trochilidae