Great-billed Hermit
A species of Typical hermits Scientific name : Phaethornis malaris Genus : Typical hermits
Great-billed Hermit, A species of Typical hermits
Botanical name: Phaethornis malaris
Genus: Typical hermits
Content
Description
Photo By Don Roberson
Description
The great-billed hermit (Phaethornis malaris) is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest. The taxonomy of this species and the long-tailed hermit is confusing. Most taxa previously consider subspecies of the latter (insolitus, moorei, ochraceiventris, bolivianus and margarettae) are now considered subspecies of the former. A satisfactory taxonomic treatment of the entire P. longirostris/P. superciliosus/P. malaris group is still lacking according to some Neotropical ornithologists. Additionally, the taxon margarettae of the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil is sometimes considered a separate species: Margaretta's Hermit (P. margarettae).
Size
18 cm
Feeding Habits
Great-billed Hermit primarily consumes nectar from flowers like Heliconia and Pitcairnia, supplementing their diet with small arthropods. They exhibit trap-lining behavior, a foraging strategy where they visit a sequence of flowering plants at regular intervals.
Habitat
The great-billed Hermit typically inhabits the understorey of non-flooded lowland rainforests, including terra firme and transitional forest zones, as well as pre-montane and humid upper tropical forests. It is also found in second growth areas, bamboo thickets, and shrublands. A particular subspecies is adapted to the unique igapó forest ecosystems.
Dite type
Nectivorous
Photo By Don Roberson
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Swifts and hummingbirds Family
Hummingbirds Genus
Typical hermits Species
Great-billed Hermit