Long-billed Hermit

Phaethornis longirostris

eBird gives this descriptive information for the Long-billed Hermit:  Spectacular large hummingbird of humid tropical lowlands. Favors shady forest understory and edges, especially with patches of Heliconia flowers. Males sit and sing tirelessly from perches in the understory while pumping their tail. When feeding, hovers briefly with long white tail streamers held nearly vertical and shoots off with an explosive squeak. Note the striped face, very long, arched bill, and rather drab plumage. Unlike many hummingbirds, hermits do not defend a patch of flowers but zip between widely scattered flowers, a strategy known as traplining (like it is checking widely scattered nectar traps).

The Birds of the World site says this about the Long-billed Hermit by way of introduction to the species:  Long-billed Hermits inhabit forest understory, second growth, and plantations where they are particularly fond of edges and steams. These large hummingbirds gather nectar from widely dispersed flowers and also catch spiders and insects. Males gather in leks, sometimes composed of as many as 25 individuals, and sing incessantly from low perches in the understory. These hermits have distinctive facial striping, a long, decurved bill, and white extensions to their central tail feathers.

I saw my first Long-billed Hermit at Donde Copé on the morning of Sunday, February 5, 2023.  This beautiful hummingbird paid a visit to one of Señor Perez’s feeders and I was fortunate to get a passable photograph.  To see my blog that covers my visit to Donde Copé, look here.