White-bearded Hermit (Phaethornis hispidus)

Identification & Behavior: ~14 cm (5.5 in). The White-bearded Hermit is mainly dull brownish green above with gray underparts. It has a poorly defined dusky mask through the eye, bordered below with a whitish stripe. It shows a distinctive white central stripe on the throat. The bill is long and decurved, with a red lower mandible. The tapered tail is dusky, white-tipped, with a longer central pair of feathers. It is similar to the Great-billed Hermit but is distinguished by having gray underparts and a white central throat stripe.

Status: The White-bearded Hermit is one of the most common and widespread hermits in Amazonia where it is known to range up to 1400 m along portions of the eastern Andes. It also occurs in Co, Ec, Br, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Ermitaño de Barba Blanca.

Sub-species: White-bearded Hermit (Phaethornis hispidus), Gould 1846.

Meaning of Name: Phaethornis: Gr. Phao= sun sunshine, and Ornis= bird. hispidus: Gr. hairy, with shaggy hair.

See more of the Family Trochilidae