Photo: John Gould / Henry Constantine Richter / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Hook-billed Hermit
Glaucis dohrnii
Hook-billed Hermit (Glaucis dohrnii) — Hummingbirds of South America.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Hook-billed Hermit (Glaucis dohrnii) is a member of the Trochilidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 5.8 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Apodiformes
- Family Trochilidae Hummingbirds
- Genus Glaucis
- Species dohrnii
Quick facts
- Weight
- 5.8 g
- Diet
- Nectar-feeders
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Hook-billed Hermit is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Hook-billed Hermit is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Hook-billed Hermit (Glaucis dohrnii) is a species of bird in the Trochilidae family, part of the order Apodiformes. Its range spans South America. Its distribution covers SA se Brazil.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 5.8 g, with a wing length of about 6.3 cm and a tail of around 4 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 978 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Hook-billed Hermit?
The Hook-billed Hermit is a very small bird that weighs around 5.8 g.
Where does the Hook-billed Hermit live?
The Hook-billed Hermit is found across South America with a range covering SA se Brazil, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Hook-billed Hermit belong to?
The Hook-billed Hermit (Glaucis dohrnii) belongs to the Trochilidae family, in the order Apodiformes.
What does the Hook-billed Hermit eat?
The Hook-billed Hermit is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Hook-billed Hermit migrate?
The Hook-billed Hermit is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Hook-billed Hermit endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Hook-billed Hermit make?
1 real field recording of the Hook-billed Hermit — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Hook-billed Hermit's range?
The Hook-billed Hermit has a mapped global range of about 978 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
Best Hummingbird Feeders
How to choose a hummingbird feeder — the two main styles compared, the right sugar-water mix, and how to keep it clean so the birds stay safe. A decision framework with the hummingbird species in the Birbs encyclopedia.
Meet the Trochilidae
A field guide to the Trochilidae family — 366 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.