The pale-bellied hermit is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is found in Colombia, Panama, and Venezuela.
Region
Northern South America and southern Central America
Typical Environment
Occurs from eastern Panama (notably Darién) into northern and northwestern Colombia and adjacent northwestern Venezuela, including the Maracaibo basin and Caribbean lowlands. It inhabits humid lowland and foothill forests, forest edges, riverine thickets, and second growth with abundant flowering understory. Frequently associates with Heliconia and Costus stands along streams and shaded clearings. Also uses semi-open plantations and gardens near forest. It is generally local but can be fairly common where suitable nectar resources are concentrated.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A medium-sized hermit hummingbird, the pale-bellied hermit forages by trap-lining, visiting a regular circuit of flowering plants. Males often gather in small leks where they deliver persistent, high-pitched songs. It favors Heliconia-rich understory along streams and forest edges. Its pale underparts and strong facial stripes help distinguish it from similar hermits.
Canopy Camp - Darien, Panama
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with precise hovering
Social Behavior
Primarily solitary while foraging, defending nectar sources along a regular trap-line route. Males may form small leks where they sing persistently and display to visiting females. The nest is typically a small cup suspended beneath broad leaves, often over water or along shaded streams. Pairs are seasonal, with the female handling most nesting duties.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A thin, high-pitched series of repeated, squeaky notes delivered at steady tempo, often from a low perch. Calls include sharp tseep and tchik notes used during foraging and territorial interactions.
Plumage
Olive-brown upperparts with a distinctly pale, buffy to grayish belly and breast; underparts contrast with darker flanks. Long, decurved bill and a classic hermit facial pattern with a dark mask bordered by pale supercilium and malar stripe. Tail relatively long with white to buffy tips on the outer feathers; central tail feathers often slightly elongated.
Diet
Feeds mainly on nectar from tubular flowers, especially Heliconia, Costus, and other understory blooms. Supplements its diet with small arthropods, gleaned from foliage or hawked in short sallies. The combination of nectar and insects provides essential sugars and proteins. Individuals follow trap-lines, revisiting productive flowers in sequence.
Preferred Environment
Understory of humid forest, streamside thickets, and forest edges where flowering plants are dense. Also forages in second growth, shaded plantations, and gardens adjacent to forest.
