Little Hermit
Little Hermit (Phaethornis longuemareus)
Name Origin:
The genus Phaethornis is derived from Greek phaethōn meaning “sun-bright” and ornis meaning “bird.” The species name longuemareus honors Longuemare, an early French naturalist associated with the original specimen.
Quick Facts
🪶 Length: 9–10 cm (3.5–4.0 in)
⚖️ Weight: 2.5–3.5 g
🌎 Range: Northeastern Venezuela, the Guianas, and Trinidad
🧭 Elevation: Sea level to 500 m
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small arthropods
🏡 Habitat: Humid lowland forest, mangrove edges, second growth, plantations
🧬 Clade: Phaethornithinae “Hermits”
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)
Subspecies & Distribution
Monotypic — no subspecies recognized.
Species Overview
The Little Hermit is one of the smallest hummingbirds in its range. It is a lowland specialist that frequents the shaded understory of tropical forests, forest edge, mangroves, and plantations. This species follows a trap-lining foraging strategy and is most often seen darting quickly from flower to flower, usually close to the ground.
Male Description:
Olive-green upperparts, orange-ochre rump, and black facial mask bordered by pale supercilium and malar stripes. Underparts are dull ochre to grayish. Long decurved bill with a yellowish lower mandible. Central tail feathers are pointed with pale tips.
Female Description:
Similar to male but paler overall. Underparts more washed with gray, and less contrast in facial markings. Bill slightly shorter and more curved.
Habitat & Behavior:
Favors shaded understory habitats such as lowland rainforest, forest edge, and mangrove margins. It forages by trap-lining, visiting a regular route of nectar sources and occasionally taking small insects. Males gather in leks to perform display flights and vocalizations. Nesting takes place in suspended cone-shaped nests attached under large leaves.
Conservation Note:
The Little Hermit remains common within its range and is relatively adaptable to modified habitats like plantations and secondary growth. Though localized threats such as mangrove clearing or logging may impact specific sites, the species is currently stable and widespread.
