Pale-bellied Hermit
Pale-bellied Hermit (Phaethornis anthophilus)
Name Origin:
The genus Phaethornis is formed from Phaethon, the mythological Greek sun-charioteer, and ornis, meaning bird. The species epithet anthophilus comes from Greek anthos meaning “flower” and philos meaning “loving,” referring to its nectar-feeding behavior.
Quick Facts
🪶 Length: 10–11 cm
⚖️ Weight: 2.5–3 g
🌎 Range: Central Panama to northern Colombia and northern Venezuela
🧭 Elevation: 0–1,200 m
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small arthropods
🏡 Habitat: Humid lowland and foothill forests, forest edge, and second growth
🧬 Clade: Phaethornithinae (a.k.a. “hermits”)
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)
Subspecies & Distribution
Two subspecies:
Phaethornis anthophilus hyalinus
Distribution: Pearl Islands off the Pacific coast of PanamaPhaethornis anthophilus anthophilus
Distribution: Central Panama to Colombia (including the Magdalena Valley and eastern Andes) and into western and northern Venezuela
Species Overview
The Pale-bellied Hermit is a small, agile hummingbird of humid tropical forests from central Panama into northern South America. Like other hermits, it follows a traplining foraging strategy, moving along a regular route to visit scattered flowers. It is subtle in plumage but easily identified by its pale gray underparts, dark cheek stripe bordered by a white supercilium and malar, and relatively short, decurved bill.
Male Description:
Bronzy olive upperparts, pale gray underparts, dark facial stripe with pale borders, and white-tipped tail feathers. Bill is decurved and dark with some pale at the base.
Female Description:
Similar to male, though sometimes duller overall and with slightly shorter bill. Sexes are not strongly dimorphic.
Habitat & Behavior:
Inhabits humid lowland and foothill forests, especially near streams, second growth, and edges. It often forages low in the understory on flowers of Heliconia, Costus, and other forest plants. The species is typically solitary and rarely vocal, making it easy to overlook. Roosts low in dense vegetation and often uses consistent foraging circuits.
Conservation Note:
The Pale-bellied Hermit is considered stable and widespread across its range, occupying both primary and disturbed habitats. It benefits from some tolerance to forest edge and secondary growth, although intensive deforestation in lowland zones may impact localized populations.
Below is the Pale-bellied Hermit (Phaethornis anthophilus anthophilus)
Photographed at Hummingbirds Tayrona, Magdalena, Colombia
These individuals belong to the subspecies anthophilus, which is distributed from central Panama into northern Colombia (including the Magdalena Valley and east of the Andes) and extends into western and northern Venezuela. It occupies lowland and foothill forests, particularly in humid zones, often near rivers or forest edges. This form is marked by a pale grayish underbelly, warm brown upperparts, and a distinct black facial stripe with pale supercilium. The bill is moderately decurved and bicolored.
