Sooty-capped Hermit
Phaethornis augusti
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<birdfyi-bird slug="phaethornis-augusti"></birdfyi-bird>About
A medium-sized hermit hummingbird (12-14 cm) found in montane forests from Venezuela to Peru at 800-2,400 m elevation. Dark sooty cap contrasting with green body and rufous rump. Nectarivore of forest undergrowth and edges. Known for its deep, resonant song.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 11.4 cm | 4.5 in |
| Weight | 4.916666666666667 g | 0.17 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Great-billed Hermit: tawny underparts; greenish-olive crown; dark mask; white supercilium; massive decurved reddish-based bill; long tail
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Found in arid scrub and forest edges of northern Venezuela and adjacent Colombia, including Margarita Island. Sea level to 1,200 m.
Diet & Feeding
Nectarivore specializing in Heliconia and other curved tubular flowers. Supplements diet with small spiders and insects gleaned from foliage.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: CP. Incubation: 20 days. Fledging: 26 days.
Clutch Size
2
Sound
Song
Rough, scratchy chatter with coarse texture; series of dry notes scraping together in loose rhythm near nest site.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Trochilidae (Hummingbirds) |
| Genus | Phaethornis |
| Species | Phaethornis augusti |
Distribution
Sooty-capped Hermit has been recorded in 3 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Sooty-capped Hermit eat?
Where does the Sooty-capped Hermit live?
Is the Sooty-capped Hermit endangered?
How does the Sooty-capped Hermit nest?
What does the Sooty-capped Hermit sound like?
How big is the Sooty-capped Hermit?
What order and family does the Sooty-capped Hermit belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Trochilidae family