<trp-post-container data-trp-post-id='360462'>Dusky-throated Hermit
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En bref
- Scientific Name: Phaethornis squalidus
- Spanish Name: Ermitaño gorjioscuro
- Famille : Trochilidae
- Known Nicknames: Dusky-throated Hermit Hummingbird
- Longueur moyenne : 9 à 11 cm / 3,5 à 4,3 pouces
- Average Weight: 3–5 g / 0.11–0.18 oz
- Envergure : N/A
- Key Feature: Dark, dusky throat and elongated, decurved bill
- Primary Diet: Primarily Nectarivore (also feeds on small arthropods)
- Range: Southeastern Brazil (coastal Atlantic Forest)
- Habitat: Understory of humid lowland and montane Atlantic Forest
- Social Structure: Solitary (often gathers at feeding sites)
- Nesting/Breeding: Cup-shaped nest attached to the underside of a palm frond or large leaf
- Statut de conservation : Préoccupation mineure (LC)
- Évolution démographique : En baisse
The Dusky-throated Hermit (*Phaethornis squalidus*) is a small, agile hummingbird endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, distinguished by its slightly decurved bill and the namesake dusky, sooty-gray throat that contrasts with its otherwise greenish-upperparts and pale buff underparts. A master of hovering flight, this species boasts a unique "hermit" behavior, preferring to feed on long-tubed flowers in the forest understory rather than defending a territory, and it is notable for its elongated, white-tipped tail feathers that provide stability during intricate aerial maneuvers. Special features include a striking white malar stripe below the eye and the male’s habit of performing a distinctive, pendulum-like display flight to attract mates, making it a cryptic yet captivating jewel of its threatened habitat.
Faits amusants
Despite its unassuming name, the Dusky-throated Hermit is a master of aerial combat, engaging in dramatic “bill-fencing” duels where males hover face-to-face and stab at each other with their long, needle-like bills to defend prime nectar patches. It also has a peculiar habit of using abandoned spider webs as a structural glue to bind its cone-shaped nest to the underside of large palm fronds, a bizarre adaptation that helps the nest sway with the leaves and stay hidden from predators. Unlike many hummingbirds that sing from perches, this hermit is a dedicated “lekker,” gathering in small groups to perform synchronized, buzzy songs while fanning its tail in a hypnotic display that sounds more like a tiny buzzing insect than a bird.
Habitats et répartition
The Dusky-throated Hermit is endemic to the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil, with its distribution centered on the states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and parts of Minas Gerais. It inhabits the humid understory and edges of primary and secondary lowland forests, as well as restinga (coastal sand dune forests) and montane forests up to approximately 1,200 meters in elevation. This species is also found in shaded plantations, forest fragments, and areas with dense bamboo thickets, but it avoids open, deforested landscapes.
Comportements & Reproduction
The Dusky-throated Hermit is typically solitary, though males gather at traditional lekking sites where they perform aerial displays and vocalize to attract females. These leks are often located near understory clearings or along streams, with each male defending a small perch or display area. Mating is brief and promiscuous, with females visiting multiple males before selecting a partner. After copulation, the male provides no further parental care. The female builds a cone-shaped nest of plant fibers and spider webs, often attached to the underside of a drooping leaf or palm frond near water. She incubates a clutch of two eggs alone for about 14–16 days, and the chicks fledge after roughly 20–22 days. A unique reproductive strategy is the female’s ability to delay egg-laying during periods of food scarcity, adjusting her breeding cycle to align with peak nectar availability from specific flowers, such as those of *Heliconia* or *Costus* species.
Alimentation
The Dusky-throated Hermit is a specialized nectarivore, feeding almost exclusively on the nectar of long, tubular flowers, particularly those of Heliconia plants, which it accesses with its long, decurved bill. Unlike many hummingbirds that defend a single feeding territory, this hermit is a "trap-line" forager, following a consistent daily route among widely dispersed flowering plants, returning to each bloom at intervals when it has replenished its nectar. An interesting fact is that while nectar provides energy, the hermit supplements its diet by occasionally consuming small arthropods like spiders and insects, which it gleans from leaves or catches in flight, to obtain essential proteins and amino acids for muscle maintenance and feather production.
Couleurs
The Dusky-throated Hermit is predominantly olive-brown above with a rufous rump and uppertail coverts, while its underparts are pale grayish-buff with a distinctive dark, sooty-gray throat and central breast patch. It has a long, decurved black bill, white-tipped outer tail feathers, and a dark facial mask with a pale supercilium, providing camouflage in the dappled light of its understory forest habitat.
Distribution Map
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