The white-whiskered hermit is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador.
Region
Chocó bioregion (western Colombia to northwestern Ecuador)
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid lowland and foothill rainforests, especially along shaded streams and in dense understory. It uses primary forest as well as tall secondary growth and forest edges with abundant flowering plants. Heliconia thickets and shady ravines are frequently used feeding areas. Occasionally visits gardens or forest fragments if sufficient cover and nectar sources are present.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A large hermit hummingbird of the Chocó lowlands, it is named for the bold white 'whisker' stripe along its face. Males gather in leks to deliver persistent, squeaky songs from low perches in the forest understory. It forages by traplining, visiting a circuit of nectar sources such as Heliconia, and supplements its diet with tiny arthropods. Nests are often suspended beneath broad leaves over shaded streams.
Female, Milpe Reserve, NW Ecuador
Temperament
skulking and shy
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering
Social Behavior
Generally solitary while foraging but males congregate in leks where they sing and display to attract females. Females alone build the nest, a small cup suspended from the underside of large leaves, often above water. Pairs do not maintain long-term bonds beyond mating.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of high, thin, squeaky notes delivered persistently from a low perch in the understory. Calls include sharp chips and buzzes given during foraging or display. Vocalizations carry surprisingly well in dense forest.
Plumage
Dusky olive-brown to bronzy upperparts with rufous to cinnamon tones below and in the undertail coverts; long, decurved bill and tapered tail with pale tips. Face shows strong contrasting stripes typical of hermits.
Diet
Primarily consumes nectar from deeply tubular flowers, favoring Heliconia, Costus, and other understory blooms. Employs trapline foraging, visiting a repeated circuit of flowering plants. Supplements nectar with small arthropods such as gnats and tiny spiders captured in hover-gleaning or brief sallies.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in shaded forest understory, along stream corridors, and in clearings with dense flowering thickets. Will use secondary growth and edges where suitable nectar plants are abundant.
