Long-billed Hermit

Common name: Long-billed Hermit
Scientific name: Phaethornis longirostris
Clades: Phaethornithinae - Hermits

The Long-billed hermit is 13 to 16 cm (5.1 to 6.3 in) long. The males weigh 5 to 7.5 g (0.18 to 0.26 oz) and the females 4 to 6.5 g (0.14 to 0.23 oz).

In the heart of the humid tropical lowlands, a remarkable avian wonder graces the understory and edges of the rainforest— the Long-billed Hermit. This spectacular large hummingbird, with its unassuming but drably elegant plumage, holds a mystical allure in the shadows of the dense foliage.

Males of this mesmerizing species tirelessly serenade the emerald silence of the forest, perched among the Heliconia flowers. Their melodic symphony weaves through the tapestry of leaves, enchanting any fortunate soul within earshot. As they sing, their tails pulsate in rhythm, adding an ethereal visual accompaniment to their enchanting song.

When the moment beckons for sustenance, the Long-billed Hermit transforms into a living marvel. Hovering briefly, it manifests an exquisite display, its long, white tail streamers almost transcendental in their elegance. With a swift and purposeful motion, it shoots off with an explosive squeak, leaving an impression of serenity amidst the symphony of the forest.

Noteworthy are its facial stripes, the signature of its identity, and the exceptionally long, arched bill—its tool for extracting the nectar that sustains its graceful existence.

Unlike its avian counterparts, the Long-billed Hermit does not defend a single patch of flowers. Instead, it practices a strategic dance known as traplining. Like an adept explorer, it flits between widely scattered flowers, as if meticulously checking widely scattered nectar traps, a dance that symbolizes the intricate relationship between this avian marvel and the floral tapestry of its habitat.

In the realm of the Long-billed Hermit, elegance and mystique blend seamlessly, offering a masterclass in grace and subtlety. As it flits through the forest's shadowy embrace, the Long-billed Hermit stands as a living testament to nature’s exquisiteness.

4 subspecies:

Long-billed Hermit (Central American)

1. P. l. longirostris
   Distribution S Mexico (N Oaxaca) to N Honduras.

2. P. l. cephalus

   Distribution E Honduras to NW Colombia (N Santander).

3. P. l. susurrus
   Distribution Santa Marta Mts, in N Colombia.

Long-billed Hermit (Baron's)

4. P. l. baroni
Distribution W Ecuador (from W Esmeraldas to S Loja) to NW Peru (Tumbes, Piura).