Long-tailed Hermit
Common name: Long-tailed Hermit
Scientific name: Phaethornis superciliosus
Clades: Phaethornithinae - Hermits
A graceful and widespread species of the Neotropics, the Long-tailed Hermit is found from eastern Honduras through northern South America, including much of the Amazon Basin. Preferring humid lowland forests, forest edges, and plantations, this elegant hummingbird measures 13 to 15 cm (5.1 to 5.9 in) in length—including its long tail—and weighs approximately 4.5 to 6.5 grams (0.16 to 0.23 oz).
Male Description:
The male is characterized by bronzy-brown upperparts and grayish underparts. The most distinctive features are the very long, white-tipped central tail feathers, which extend well beyond the rest of the tail, and the pale facial stripe (supercilium) above the eye. His long, strongly decurved black bill is perfectly adapted for accessing nectar from deep tubular flowers. Males are often seen performing dramatic lekking displays to attract females.
Female Description:
Females resemble males but typically have slightly shorter central tail feathers and may be smaller overall. Their underparts are often paler, and they share the same prominent pale supercilium and decurved bill. Although less ostentatious, they are equally agile and efficient foragers.
Habitat & Behavior:
The Long-tailed Hermit is most often found in the understory and along forest edges, where it follows traplines—visiting a circuit of flowering plants rather than defending territories. It feeds primarily on nectar, supplemented by small insects.
2 subspecies:
P. s. superciliosus
Distribution S and E Venezuela, the Guianas and N Brazil N of Amazon (in Roraima and Pará).P. s. muelleri
Distribution N Brazil S of Amazon (in Pará and Maranhão)
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