Dusky-throated Hermit

Brazil

Jul 17

Dusky-throated Hermit (Phaethornis squalidus)

Name Origin:
The genus Phaethornis derives from Phaethon, the son of the sun god Helios in Greek mythology, referencing the shining plumage of many hermits. The species name squalidus is Latin for “dusky” or “dingy,” describing its subdued coloration compared to other members of the genus.

Quick Facts

🪶 Length: 12–13.5 cm (4.7–5.3 in)
⚖️ Weight: 3.5–4.5 g (0.12–0.16 oz)
🌎 Range: Endemic to southeastern Brazil
🧭 Elevation: 100–1,500 m (330–4,900 ft)
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small arthropods
🏡 Habitat: Humid Atlantic Forest understory, forest edge, and secondary growth
🧬 Clade: Phaethornithinae “Hermits” (understory specialists)
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)

Subspecies & Distribution

Monotypic species — no recognized subspecies.

Distribution: Found throughout the Atlantic Forest biome of southeastern Brazil, from Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais south through Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Paraná to Santa Catarina. Prefers the understory of humid evergreen forest, but also occurs in secondary and gallery forests.

Species Overview

The Dusky-throated Hermit is a medium-sized, forest-loving hummingbird known for its subtle elegance and stealthy behavior. Unlike the iridescent emeralds and brilliants, this species blends into the dimly lit forest interior, moving methodically between flowers close to the ground. Its presence often goes unnoticed until it hovers to feed or emits its soft, whistled call from the shadows.

Male Description:
The male has bronzy-olive upperparts, a dusky gray throat, and brownish underparts with a faint olive wash. The tail is dark brown with buff terminal tips, and the bill is long, slender, and decurved. The facial pattern shows a pale supercilium and a darker mask, typical of hermits.

Female Description:
The female closely resembles the male but is slightly paler below, with a less distinctly marked mask and a shorter bill.

Habitat & Behavior:
This hermit inhabits dense, humid forest understory, typically below 1,200 meters but reaching 1,500 meters in some montane areas. It follows established traplines, visiting a sequence of flowering plants such as Heliconia, Costus, and Psychotria. The species is generally solitary, flying low and silently through shaded vegetation. Its song consists of a series of soft, repetitive whistles delivered from hidden perches.

Conservation Note:
The Dusky-throated Hermit is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though it is locally uncommon and dependent on intact forest habitat. The species’ range lies almost entirely within the Atlantic Forest, one of the most threatened biomes in the world, with less than 15% of original forest cover remaining. Continued habitat loss and fragmentation pose ongoing threats.

It occurs in several protected areas, including Serra dos Órgãos, Intervales, and Itatiaia National Parks, where populations remain stable. Maintaining continuous tracts of humid forest is crucial to preserve this quiet, specialized Phaethornithinae species.