Saw-billed Hermit

Brazil

Jul 17

Saw-billed Hermit (Ramphodon naevius)

Name Origin:
The genus Ramphodon comes from Greek rhamphos meaning “beak” and odous meaning “tooth,” referencing the distinctive serrated edges of the bill. The species name naevius is Latin for “spotted” or “mottled,” referring to subtle plumage markings.

Quick Facts

🪶 Length: 14–16 cm (5.5–6.3 in)
⚖️ Weight: ~6.5–7.5 g (0.23–0.26 oz)
🌎 Range: Endemic to southeastern Brazil, from southern Bahia to northern Santa Catarina
🧭 Elevation: 0–1,200 m (0–3,940 ft)
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small arthropods
🏡 Habitat: Atlantic Forest understory, especially in humid primary and mature secondary forest
🧬 Clade: Phaethornithinae (“Hermits”)
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)

Subspecies & Distribution

Monotypic — no subspecies recognized.

Species Overview

The Saw-billed Hermit is a large, unique hermit hummingbird, restricted to the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. It is named for the serrated or “saw-like” edges of its bill, an adaptation possibly related to its foraging behavior or insect-catching. Males and females are similar in structure, but males show a more vibrant coloration and longer central tail feathers.

Male Description:
Dark bronzy-green upperparts, rich rufous underparts with dusky streaking, a long decurved bill with serrated edges, and elongated white-tipped central tail feathers.

Female Description:
Similar to male but with duller coloration, shorter tail streamers, and more prominent streaking on the breast and flanks.

Habitat & Behavior:
Prefers dense understory of lowland and foothill Atlantic Forest. Regularly forages along established traplines, visiting Heliconia and other tubular flowers. Often perches low and remains hidden in vegetation. Insect hunting is common, sometimes via aerial sallies or gleaning. Its vocalizations include high-pitched, whiny notes delivered in display flights.

Conservation Note:
Although listed as Least Concern, the Saw-billed Hermit is considered near-endemic to the Atlantic Forest, a biodiversity hotspot experiencing severe habitat loss. Its dependence on mature forest understory makes it vulnerable to deforestation and fragmentation. Populations remain locally common in protected reserves, but long-term survival depends on preserving continuous tracts of humid forest throughout its range.