Needle-billed Hermit

Scientific name: Phaethornis philippii

The Needle-billed Hermit is a small, slender hermit hummingbird of lowland rainforest understory in the southwestern Amazon Basin. 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 Peru, northern Bolivia, and western Brazil south of the Amazon River to the Tapajós River

• Habitat: Understory of lowland terra firme rainforest, also várzea forest, bamboo thickets, and some plantations

• Elevation: From lowlands up to about 325 m (1,100 ft)

• Length: About 12–13 cm (4.7–5.1 in)

• Weight: About 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 is derived from Greek roots meaning “sun‑shining bird,” referring to the iridescent sheen of hummingbird plumage. The species name philippii honors Italian zoologist Filippo De Filippi. The English name “Needle-billed Hermit” highlights its unusually straight, needle‑like bill and its placement among hermits.

Taxonomy
Phaethornis philippii is a hermit hummingbird in the subfamily Phaethornithinae. It is closely related to Koepcke’s Hermit (Phaethornis koepckeae) and has sometimes been placed in a separate genus (Ametrornis) in the past, but is now treated within Phaethornis.

Subspecies and Distribution
Monotypic — no subspecies recognized.

Distribution:
The Needle-billed Hermit is found in eastern Peru, northern Bolivia, and western Brazil south of the Amazon River east at least to the Tapajós River. It inhabits the understory of lowland rainforest, primarily terra firme forest on non‑flooded ground, but also uses várzea forest, bamboo thickets, and some shaded plantations within the forest matrix. It is generally restricted to low elevations, rarely occurring above about 325 m.

Legend
Green Resident

Species Overview
The Needle-billed Hermit is a slim, rather inconspicuous hermit whose nearly straight, slender bill sets it apart from most other hermits with strongly curved bills. Dark bronzy‑green upperparts, a dull rufous rump, and orange underparts combine with a typical hermit facial mask of dark with pale stripes. It lives in dense, shadowy understory where it follows traplines between scattered flowering plants and is easily overlooked.

Male Description
Males are about 12–13 cm long and weigh roughly 4–6 g. The upperparts are dark bronzy green with a dull rufous rump. The tail is mostly dark green, with the innermost pair of tail feathers longer than the others and tipped with long white points; the remaining tail feathers have broad buffy rufous tips. The face shows a blackish “mask” bordered by narrow pale streaks above and below, forming the characteristic hermit facial pattern. The underparts are orange, often slightly richer on the breast and paler toward the belly. The bill is nearly straight, slender, and dark, giving the bird its “needle‑billed” look.

Female Description
Females closely resemble males in size and coloration, with dark bronzy‑green upperparts, rufous rump, orange underparts, and the same facial pattern. The bill is also nearly straight, though subtle differences in proportions may occur. Juveniles look similar to adults but may have slightly duller plumage and less sharply defined facial markings until they molt into full adult plumage.

Habitat & Behavior
Needle-billed Hermits inhabit the understory of lowland tropical rainforest in terra firme forest, as well as adjacent várzea forest, bamboo thickets, and some shaded plantations. They stay low to mid‑levels in the forest, usually in dense, humid, and shaded situations with scattered flowering plants.

They feed primarily on nectar from a variety of tubular flowers, visiting them along a regular trapline route rather than defending static territories. Their relatively straight bill allows them to exploit a slightly different subset of flowers than strongly curved-billed hermits, but they still rely on understory blossoms and also take small arthropods gleaned from foliage or spiderwebs. Birds typically forage quietly and are more often heard giving thin, high calls than seen.

Breeding
The breeding season is not fully documented but appears to extend at least from June to September in parts of the range. As with other hermits, the female likely builds a small, hanging cone‑shaped nest of plant fibers and spiderweb, suspended from the underside of a leaf or similar support in the shaded understory.

The usual clutch is two white eggs. The female alone incubates and raises the chicks. Incubation and nestling periods likely span several weeks, similar to other Phaethornis hermits, though precise timing is poorly known for this species.

Movement
The Needle-billed Hermit is considered not a migrant. It is resident within its lowland Amazonian range, though individual birds may shift locally within terra firme and adjacent habitats in response to flowering patterns, local rainfall, or small‑scale habitat changes. There is no evidence of long‑distance or regular seasonal migration.

Population
The total number of mature individuals is unknown. Within suitable lowland rainforest in eastern Peru, northern Bolivia, and western Brazil, it is often described as rare to uncommon, locally more regular where dense understory and appropriate flowers are abundant. Ongoing deforestation, fragmentation, and degradation of lowland Amazonian forests are presumed to be driving a gradual decline.

Conservation
The Needle-billed Hermit is assessed as Least Concern because of its relatively large overall range and presence in multiple countries. However, continued loss and alteration of lowland terra firme and associated forests pose important long‑term threats. Protection of intact rainforest, especially terra firme tracts and river‑adjacent forests with dense understory, is important for maintaining viable populations.

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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.