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Koepcke's Hermit

Phaethornis koepckeae

Least Concern
Wingspan
12.1 cm
Weight
4.95 g
Family
Trochilidae
Order
Caprimulgiformes

About

A medium-sized hermit hummingbird (13-14 cm) endemic to the eastern slopes of the Peruvian Andes at 800-1,500 m. Green plumage with rufous underparts. Named after Maria Koepcke, a German-Peruvian ornithologist. Classified as Near Threatened due to limited range.

Physical Description

Measurement Value Imperial
Wingspan 12.1 cm 4.8 in
Weight 4.95 g 0.17 oz

Identification

Plumage

Little Hermit: glittering green crown; pale buff underparts; white pectoral tufts; white postocular stripe; tiny size; decurved bill

Habitat & Range

Geographic Range

Endemic to Peru in the Ucayali and Madre de Dios drainages. Found in lowland and foothill forest at 200–700 m elevation.

Diet & Feeding

Nectarivore specializing in Heliconia and other curved tubular flowers. Supplements diet with small spiders and insects gleaned from foliage.

Conservation Status

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

Behavior & Breeding

Nesting

Nest type: CP.

Clutch Size

2

Sound

Song

Deep, hollow churr with resonant quality; prolonged buzzing trill carrying well through dense forest at low frequency.

Taxonomy

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Order Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts)
Family Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
Genus Phaethornis
Species Phaethornis koepckeae

Distribution

Koepcke's Hermit has been recorded in 1 countries.

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Present Not recorded
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countries highlighted

External Databases

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Koepcke's Hermit eat?
Nectarivore specializing in Heliconia and other curved tubular flowers. Supplements diet with small spiders and insects gleaned from foliage.
Where does the Koepcke's Hermit live?
Endemic to Peru in the Ucayali and Madre de Dios drainages. Found in lowland and foothill forest at 200–700 m elevation.
Is the Koepcke's Hermit endangered?
The Koepcke's Hermit has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the Koepcke's Hermit nest?
Nest type: CP.
What does the Koepcke's Hermit sound like?
Deep, hollow churr with resonant quality; prolonged buzzing trill carrying well through dense forest at low frequency.
How big is the Koepcke's Hermit?
The Koepcke's Hermit has a wingspan of 12.1 cm, weight of 4.95 g.
What order and family does the Koepcke's Hermit belong to?
The Koepcke's Hermit (Phaethornis koepckeae) belongs to the order Caprimulgiformes and the family Trochilidae.

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