The sooty-capped hermit is a species of bird in the family Trochilidae, the hummingbirds. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Region
Northern South America
Typical Environment
Occurs across the Guiana Shield and adjacent regions, including Venezuela, Colombia, northern Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. It inhabits humid lowland and foothill forests, especially along shaded streams and in dense understory. The species also uses forest edges, clearings with secondary growth, and gallery forests. It is typically local but can be fairly common where suitable understory flowers are abundant.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This hermit hummingbird specializes in trap-lining, visiting a predictable circuit of flowering plants for nectar. Its long, decurved bill fits tubular flowers like Heliconia, and it supplements nectar with tiny arthropods for protein. Males often sing from low, shaded perches and may display in loose leks. Nests are small, pendant cups attached beneath drooping leaves over streams or shaded clearings.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Typically solitary outside of loose lekking arenas where males sing to attract females. Defends rich flower patches within a trap-line route but often yields to larger hummingbirds. The small pendant nest is built by the female and attached beneath drooping leaves, usually over water or in deep shade.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a thin, high-pitched, rapidly repeated series of squeaky notes delivered from a low perch. Calls include sharp chips and buzzy twitters given during chases and while foraging.
Plumage
Dull brown-olive upperparts with rufous to cinnamon-washed underparts and a contrasting sooty-dark crown. The face shows a pale supercilium and darker mask with a strong submoustachial stripe. Tail is long with pointed outer feathers often tipped pale or whitish; overall plumage is soft and slightly glossy in good light.
Diet
Feeds primarily on nectar from tubular flowers such as Heliconia, Costus, and other understory blooms. It follows a trap-line circuit, revisiting the same flowers as they replenish. Small insects and spiders are taken by gleaning or hawking to provide essential proteins and minerals.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the shaded understory along streams, forest edges, and gaps with dense secondary growth. Often visits flowering thickets and clearings where tubular blossoms are concentrated.
