The little hermit is a hummingbird that is a resident breeder in north-eastern Venezuela, northern Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Trinidad. This lowland species occurs in various semi-open wooded habitats, e.g. mangrove, secondary forest, plantations and scrub. In Trinidad it also occurs in rainforest. It is fairly common in most of its range, and therefore listed as Least Concern by BirdLife International on the IUCN Red List.
Region
The Guianas and Trinidad, northeastern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs from northeastern Venezuela through northern Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana, and on the island of Trinidad. It favors lowland semi-open wooded habitats including mangroves, secondary forest, plantations, and scrub, and also enters rainforest on Trinidad. Regularly visits flowering Heliconia and other tubular blossoms along forest edges and shaded clearings. Often found along streams, in understory thickets, and in coastal woodlands where nectar sources are abundant.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The little hermit is one of the smallest hermit hummingbirds and is a specialist nectar feeder that follows a regular trapline between flowers. Males display at small leks, giving sharp, repetitive notes to attract females. Nests are tiny, conical cups suspended beneath drooping leaves, often overhanging water. It remains fairly common across its range and is assessed as Least Concern.
Male
Male
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Typically forages alone along a trapline, visiting a sequence of flowering plants. Males gather in small leks where they sing and display to females. The female builds a tiny conical nest suspended from the underside of a drooping leaf, often over water, and cares for the young without male assistance.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A high, thin series of rapidly repeated, piping notes, often delivered persistently from a concealed perch near the lek. Calls are sharp tseet or tzip notes used during foraging and territorial encounters.
