Tawny-bellied Hermit
Tawny-bellied Hermit (Phaethornis syrmatophorus)
Name Origin:
The genus Phaethornis is from Greek Phaethon, the son of the sun god Helios, and ornis, meaning “bird.” The species name syrmatophorus comes from Greek syrma, meaning “train” or “trailing garment,” and phoros, meaning “bearing,” referring to its long tail streamers.
Quick Facts
🪶 Length: 13–15 cm (5.1–5.9 in)
⚖️ Weight: 4.5–6.5 g (0.16–0.23 oz)
🌎 Range: Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, and extreme northern Peru
🧭 Elevation: 500–2,200 m (1,640–7,200 ft)
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small arthropods
🏡 Habitat: Humid montane and foothill forest understory
🧬 Clade: Phaethornithinae – “Hermits”
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)
Subspecies & Distribution
Two subspecies:
Phaethornis syrmatophorus syrmatophorus
Distribution: Western Andes of Colombia (including Cauca/Patía Valley) south to southwestern Ecuador (reaching Loja).Phaethornis syrmatophorus columbianus
Distribution: Central and Eastern Andes of Colombia (including the southern Magdalena Valley) south on the eastern slope through Ecuador to northern Peru (San Martín).
Species Overview
The Tawny-bellied Hermit is a medium-sized hermit specialized for life in the shaded, dense understory of humid Andean forest. It is recognized by its rufous belly, broad buff facial stripe, and long white-tipped tail streamers. Unlike many hummingbirds, it prefers to forage in a traplining route rather than defending feeding territories. Its preferred flowers include low understory genera like Heliconia and Costus.
Male Description:
Dark brownish upperparts with a strong buff facial stripe, rufous belly, and long tail streamers with white tips. Bill is strongly decurved and black. Throat is pale grayish with rufous flanks.
Female Description:
Similar to male but typically has slightly duller plumage and shorter tail streamers. Bill may be more strongly curved.
Habitat & Behavior:
Inhabits humid montane forest, especially the dense understory near streams and ravines. It is generally solitary and quiet, moving on predictable feeding routes. Often seen low in the forest, hovering at tubular flowers or darting through cover. Song is a series of high-pitched, insect-like notes given from a hidden perch.
Conservation Note:
Widespread in montane forest regions but sensitive to habitat loss. Protection of Andean cloud forests is essential for long-term stability. It remains fairly common in several reserves across Colombia and Ecuador.
Below is the Tawny-bellied Hermit (Phaethornis syrmatophorus syrmatophorus)
Photographed at La Florida – Bosque de Las Aves, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
This individual belongs to the subspecies syrmatophorus, found along the Western Andes of Colombia, including the Patía Valley, and southward into southwestern Ecuador (Loja). This form is distinguished by deeper rufous tones on the underparts and a slightly shorter bill compared to the eastern subspecies. It frequents lower understory levels in humid montane forest and follows quiet foraging circuits near forest edges and clearings.
