Scale-throated Hermit
Scale-throated Hermit (Phaethornis eurynome)
Name Origin:
The genus Phaethornis comes from Phaethon, the mythological son of the sun god Helios, and ornis meaning “bird” in Greek. The species name eurynome also comes from Greek mythology, referring to a sea goddess, likely chosen for its elegance rather than descriptive features.
Quick Facts
🪶 Length: 13–14.5 cm (5.1–5.7 in)
⚖️ Weight: ~4.5–6 g (0.16–0.21 oz)
🌎 Range: Southeastern Brazil, eastern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina
🧭 Elevation: 300–1,500 m (980–4,900 ft)
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small arthropods
🏡 Habitat: Humid Atlantic Forest and mature secondary forest
🧬 Clade: Phaethornithinae (“Hermits”)
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)
Subspecies & Distribution
Two subspecies:
Phaethornis eurynome paraguayensis
Distribution: Eastern Paraguay and northeastern Argentina (Misiones)Phaethornis eurynome eurynome
Distribution: Southeastern Brazil (from southeastern Bahia south to Rio Grande do Sul)
Species Overview
The Scale-throated Hermit is a large, forest-dwelling hummingbird of the Atlantic Forest, named for the subtle scaly appearance on its throat. Like other hermits, it follows traplines through dense understory, favoring shaded habitats with Heliconia and other tubular flowers. Its long, decurved bill and strong tail feathers assist in maneuvering through tight vegetation while foraging.
Male Description:
Dusky bronze upperparts, pale buff facial stripe bordered by black, and a faintly scaled grayish throat. Long decurved bill, dark tail with white-tipped central feathers.
Female Description:
Similar to the male but typically with more streaking on the underparts and a slightly shorter bill.
Habitat & Behavior:
Inhabits dense, humid Atlantic Forest and mature secondary growth, mostly in foothill and montane regions. It forages low in the understory along established nectar routes, occasionally picking insects off foliage. Often elusive and best detected by its high-pitched calls and tail-whirring display flights.
Conservation Note:
The Scale-throated Hermit is listed as Least Concern, though it depends heavily on intact Atlantic Forest. Deforestation and habitat fragmentation continue to threaten this biome, especially outside protected areas. It remains locally common where mature forest persists, particularly in conservation corridors across São Paulo, Paraná, and Santa Catarina.
Below is the Scale-throated Hermit (Phaethornis eurynome eurynome)
Photographed at Pousada da Fazenda, Monte Alegre do Sul, and Sítio Macuquinho, Salesópolis, São Paulo, Brazil
These individuals belong to the nominate subspecies eurynome, found throughout southeastern Brazil from Bahia south to Rio Grande do Sul. It inhabits humid Atlantic Forest and forest edge, typically between 300 and 1,500 meters. This subspecies is characterized by darker plumage and subtle throat scaling.
