The rufous-breasted hermit or hairy hermit is a hummingbird that breeds from Panama south to Bolivia, and on Trinidad, Tobago and Grenada. It is a widespread and generally common species, though local populations may change in numbers and disappear altogether in marginal habitat.
Region
Central America, northern South America, and the Lesser Antilles
Typical Environment
Occupies humid lowland and foothill forests, forest edges, and secondary growth with abundant understory flowers. It often frequents Heliconia thickets, gingers, and shaded plantations such as cacao and banana where nectar sources are dense. The species uses dense cover but readily forages along edges and light gaps. It also visits gardens near suitable forest.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the hairy hermit, this hummingbird is a trap-liner, visiting a repeated circuit of flowering plants such as Heliconia. Males display at small leks, while females alone build a cone-shaped nest suspended from the underside of a large drooping leaf. The slightly more decurved bill of females helps reduce competition between sexes. It remains common in many areas but can disappear where understory flowers are lost.
Temperament
secretive but active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Generally solitary while foraging, following a repeated trap-line of flowers. Males display and sing at small leks; there is no pair bond. Females build a conical nest of plant fibers suspended from the underside of a broad leaf and alone incubate and rear the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A high, thin, and repetitive piping or squeaky tseep series delivered from low perches near leks. Also gives sharp chips during chases around flowering patches.
Plumage
Olive-bronze to greenish upperparts with warm rufous to cinnamon underparts and throat; face shows contrasting pale supercilium and malar stripe framing a dusky mask. Long decurved bill and slightly forked tail with pale or whitish tips to outer feathers. Overall plumage looks sleek in flight but shaggy on the breast at rest.
Diet
Primarily feeds on nectar from tubular flowers such as Heliconia, Costus, and gingers, using its long decurved bill. Supplements diet with small arthropods, including tiny insects and spiders, captured by hawking or gleaning from foliage. Follows a trap-line route to defend and revisit productive blooms throughout the day.
Preferred Environment
Forages in shaded understory, along forest edges, and in thickets with abundant flowering plants. Often uses light gaps, stream margins, and plantations where nectar sources are concentrated.
