Black-throated Hermit
Scientific name: Phaethornis atrimentalis
The Black-throated Hermit is a medium-sized hermit hummingbird of humid forest understory and edges along the eastern Andean foothills of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The number of mature individuals is unknown, the population trend is decreasing, it is not a migrant, and it is currently assessed as Least Concern.
At a Glance
Family: Trochilidae (hummingbirds)
Clade: Phaethornithinae – Hermits
Genus: Phaethornis — 27 species in total
Range: Eastern Andes of Colombia and Ecuador south into northern and central Peru
Habitat: Humid lowland and foothill rainforest, forest edges, secondary forest, and plantations with forest remnants
Elevation: Mostly from lowlands up to about 1,500 m, often 400–1,200 m on Andean foothills
Length: About 12–13 cm (4.7–5.1 in)
Weight: Roughly 4–6 g
Number of mature individuals: Unknown
Population trend: Decreasing
Movement: Not a migrant
IUCN Red List category: Least Concern
Name Origin
The genus name Phaethornis derives from Phaethon, meaning “shining” or “radiant,” referencing the glittering plumage of many hermits. The species name atrimentalis combines Latin ater (“black”) and mentum (“chin”), referring to the bird’s dark throat. The English name “Black-throated Hermit” likewise highlights its characteristic dark throat patch.
Taxonomy
Phaethornis atrimentalis is a hermit hummingbird in the subfamily Phaethornithinae. Within Phaethornis, it is part of a large genus that also includes species such as the Little Hermit (P. longuemareus), Reddish Hermit (P. ruber), and Gray-chinned Hermit (P. griseogularis).
Subspecies and Distribution
Two subspecies:
Phaethornis atrimentalis atrimentalis
Distribution: Eastern Andes of Colombia and Ecuador south into northern Peru (Loreto).Phaethornis atrimentalis riojae
Distribution: Foothills of central Peru, from San Martín south to Pasco.
Legend
Green Resident
Species Overview
The Black-throated Hermit is a subtly colored but distinctive hermit with greenish upperparts, buffy underparts, and a dark throat and chest. Like other hermits, it has a long, slightly decurved bill, facial stripes, and a long tail with white-tipped outer feathers. It favors shady understory and forest edge habitats, where it moves quietly and can be easily overlooked.
Male Description
Males are medium-sized hermits with greenish to bronzy-green upperparts and buff to cinnamon underparts. The throat and upper chest are dark brown to blackish, forming the “black-throated” appearance. The face shows the typical hermit pattern with a dusky mask and pale superciliary and moustachial stripes. The bill is long, slender, and slightly decurved. The tail is relatively long, with rufous bases and darker tips, usually with small white tips on the outer feathers.
Female Description
Females are very similar to males, with the same general pattern of greenish upperparts, dark throat, and buffy underparts. Differences are subtle; females may appear slightly duller or have marginally different bill proportions, but in the field sexes are usually not easily distinguished. Juveniles resemble adults but can show slightly softer, less contrasted plumage.
Habitat & Behavior
Black-throated Hermits inhabit the understory of humid lowland and foothill rainforests, including primary and secondary forest, forest edges, and plantations with forest remnants. They prefer dense vegetation, thickets, and areas with abundant flowering plants such as Heliconia and Costus, often near streams or wet ravines.
They are typical hermit trapliners, following a regular circuit of flowering plants instead of defending a single patch. They feed mainly on nectar from tubular flowers, taking it while hovering or briefly perching, and they also consume small arthropods gleaned from foliage or captured in short sallies. Birds are mostly solitary and can be shy, remaining in the shadows of the understory.
Breeding
Breeding phenology is not fully documented, but observations suggest breeding occurs in at least parts of the year in Peru and Ecuador. The female builds a small hanging cup or cone-shaped nest of plant fibers, moss, and spiderweb, often suspended from the underside of a long leaf, branch, or root in sheltered, shady sites.
The usual clutch is two white eggs. The female alone incubates and tends the chicks, as is typical for hummingbirds. Incubation and nestling periods together likely span several weeks, similar to other Phaethornis hermits.
Movement
The Black-throated Hermit is considered non-migratory. It is resident within its Andean foothill range, though individuals may move locally along slopes and valleys as they track flowering plants and respond to seasonal changes in rainfall. These movements are local and not true long-distance migration.
Population
The total number of mature individuals is unknown, but the species is generally considered uncommon to fairly common within suitable habitat along the eastern Andean foothills. Ongoing habitat loss, forest degradation, and fragmentation throughout the region are thought to be driving a gradual decline, even though the species still occupies a relatively broad range.
Conservation
The Black-throated Hermit is currently assessed as Least Concern due to its overall range and presence across multiple countries. However, deforestation and degradation of humid foothill forests, particularly for agriculture and infrastructure, threaten its habitat. Protection of Andean foothill forests, maintenance of forest edges and understory structure, and conservation of riparian corridors are important for its long-term persistence.
Below is the Black-throated Hermit (Phaethornis atrimentalis atrimentalis)
Photographed at Morro de Calzada Amazon Center and Waqanki / Quebrada Mishquiyaquillo, San Martín, Peru
This individual belongs to the nominate subspecies atrimentalis, which occurs along the eastern Andean foothills of southern Colombia, Ecuador, and northern Peru. It inhabits humid forest understory and edge zones between 400 and 1,200 meters, where it forages among Heliconia, Costus, and other tubular flowers.
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Related species in the Phaethornis genus (27 species total)
Please note: The content provided in this article reflects Anthony’s personal experience and photographic approach. Results can vary depending on light, weather, location, equipment, subject behavior, and field conditions.