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Overview
Cinnamon-throated hermit

Cinnamon-throated hermit

Wikipedia

The cinnamon-throated hermit is a species in the hummingbird family Trochilidae. It is found in Bolivia and Brazil.

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Distribution

Region

Southwestern Amazon Basin

Typical Environment

Occurs in lowland evergreen forests of southwestern Amazonian Brazil and adjacent northern Bolivia, including terra firme, river-edge gallery forests, and patches of seasonally flooded várzea. It favors dense understory with abundant flowering herbs and shrubs, especially along forest edges, old clearings, and bamboo thickets. Often found near streams and shaded trails where nectar sources are concentrated. Locally common where habitat is intact but can be sparse in heavily disturbed areas.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 800 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size12–14 cm
Wing Span14–17 cm
Male Weight0.005 kg
Female Weight0.0045 kg
Life Expectancy6 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

This hermit hummingbird practices traplining, visiting a repeated circuit of flowering plants for nectar. Its long, decurved bill is well suited to tubular flowers like Heliconia and Costus. Males often sing at small leks, while females alone build a pendant nest attached beneath a broad leaf.

Gallery

Bird photo
Bird photo
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Behaviour

Temperament

shy and secretive

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with precise hovering

Social Behavior

Primarily solitary while foraging, following trapline routes between scattered nectar sources. Males may gather at small leks where they sing and display to visiting females. The female constructs a small pendant cup nest attached to the underside of a broad leaf or palm frond and performs all incubation and chick-rearing.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

A thin, high-pitched series of tseet notes and insect-like trills delivered repetitively from a low perch. Calls are sharp and quickly repeated, carrying softly through the understory.

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