Black-throated Hermit
Common name: Black-throated Hermit
Scientific name: Phaethornis atrimentalis
Clades: Phaethornithinae - Hermits
The Black-chinned Hermit is about 9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 3.9 in) long,
Black-throated Hermits resemble Reddish Hermits (P.ruber), except for their prominent dark brown throats and whitish undertail coverts. It was once considered a subspecies of the little hermit (P. longuemareus), but is more closely related to the reddish hermit (P. ruber) and grey-chinned hermit (P. griseogularis). The Black-throated Hermit inhabits lowland rainforests and open habitats such as swamp forests and plantations. A hermit's rufous underparts, greenback, and striped face are characteristic of many hermits, but its dark throat and white vent help it stand out. While zipping between flowers in the dark, it is difficult to see. From a low perch, this bird sometimes sings in high pitch, accompanied by a squeaky sound.
2 subspecies:
P. a. atrimentalis
Distribution E Andes of Colombia, Ecuador and N Peru (Loreto).P. a. riojae
Distribution foothills of C Peru (San Martín S to Pasco).
