Photo: Dominic Sherony / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Little Hermit
Phaethornis longuemareus
Little Hermit (Phaethornis longuemareus) — Hummingbirds of South America.
The Little Hermit (Phaethornis longuemareus) is a member of the Trochilidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 3 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Apodiformes
- Family Trochilidae Hummingbirds
- Genus Phaethornis
- Species longuemareus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 3 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 Little 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 Little Hermit is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Little Hermit (Phaethornis longuemareus) is a species of bird in the Trochilidae family, part of the order Apodiformes. It is found across South America. Its distribution covers SA ne Venezuela and the Guianas.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 3 g, with a wing length of about 4.3 cm and a tail of around 3.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 282,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Little Hermit?
The Little Hermit is a very small bird that weighs around 3 g.
Where does the Little Hermit live?
The Little Hermit is found across South America with a range covering SA ne Venezuela and the Guianas, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Little Hermit belong to?
The Little Hermit (Phaethornis longuemareus) belongs to the Trochilidae family, in the order Apodiformes.
What does the Little Hermit eat?
The Little Hermit is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Little Hermit migrate?
The Little Hermit is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Little Hermit endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Little Hermit make?
1 real field recording of the Little Hermit can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Little Hermit's range?
The Little Hermit has a mapped global range of about 282,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
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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.