Introduction
The Broad-tipped Hermit (Anopetia gounellei) is a small hummingbird in the family Trochilidae and the only species in the genus Anopetia. It is endemic to northeastern Brazil, where it is associated mainly with seasonally dry habitats, including Caatinga, woodland and semi-deciduous vegetation.
Physical Description
The Broad-tipped Hermit is approximately 11–12.6 cm long. Its upperparts are bronze-green, while the underparts are mostly brownish or ochraceous. A dark mask across the eyes contrasts with a pale supercilium and malar stripe. The throat is darker, with warmer rufous tones around the neck and upper breast.
Its slightly decurved bill is adapted for taking nectar from tubular flowers. The tail is a key identification feature: the feathers are relatively broad and dark, with conspicuous pale or white tips. The inner tail feathers are longer than the outer feathers, giving the tail a distinctive shape. Reliable sources do not support describing strong male and female colour differences, so sexual dimorphism should not be assumed in the field.
Range and Habitat
The Broad-tipped Hermit is restricted to northeastern Brazil. It is particularly associated with the Caatinga region, but documented records also occur in dry woodland, cerrado, seasonal forest and other semi-open habitats. Its known range includes areas in and around Piauí, Ceará and Bahia, with additional records from other parts of northeastern Brazil as knowledge of its distribution has improved.
The species is often found in denser vegetation, woodland edges, secondary growth and humid enclaves within otherwise dry landscapes. In the Serra de Baturité region, it has been recorded in elevated, relatively humid forest remnants and surrounding vegetation, while elsewhere it occurs in lowland and semi-arid Caatinga. Records are therefore not confined to Atlantic Rainforest, as the original article suggested.
The Broad-tipped Hermit is generally considered resident rather than migratory. Its distribution is closely linked to seasonally dry ecosystems, flowering resources and the availability of suitable vegetation.
Where to See This Species
Serra de Baturité Environmental Protection Area, Ceará, Brazil
The Serra de Baturité Environmental Protection Area is one of the better documented places to look for the species. Records are concentrated around Guaramiranga and neighbouring municipalities, where humid forest remnants, forest edges and surrounding seasonal vegetation provide suitable habitat. The species has also been recorded at Pico Alto and in private reserves within the Baturité massif. Look for it around flowering plants in quiet forest edges and open vegetation, particularly during local periods of increased flowering.
Nearby accommodation: Guaramiranga is the most practical base, with guest houses, small hotels, lodges and self-catering accommodation.
Chapada Diamantina National Park and surrounding areas, Bahia, Brazil
The Broad-tipped Hermit has been documented in the Chapada Diamantina region, including records from the Mucugê area and nearby dry woodland and cerrado habitats. The species may be encountered along trails, forest edges and flowering vegetation rather than in the most exposed rocky areas. Local birding reports also document the species near Palmeiras and other accessible parts of the Chapada Diamantina landscape.
Nearby accommodation: Mucugê, Palmeiras and Lençóis provide practical bases with guest houses, hotels, lodges and campsites.
Serra da Capivara National Park, Piauí, Brazil
Serra da Capivara National Park protects extensive Caatinga habitat and is recognised as a birdwatching destination where the Broad-tipped Hermit is included among the area’s characteristic birds. Search in dry forest, scrub, woodland edges and flowering vegetation, preferably with a local guide who knows the park’s birding routes and seasonal conditions.
Nearby accommodation: São Raimundo Nonato is the principal gateway, offering hotels, guest houses, lodges and other visitor accommodation.
Behaviour and Diet
The Broad-tipped Hermit is usually solitary and can be difficult to detect in dense vegetation. It often moves through a regular circuit, visiting flowering plants within a familiar feeding area. Short, repeated vocalisations may help reveal its presence before the bird is seen.
Nectar forms the main part of its diet. The bird also takes small insects and other arthropods, which provide protein and other nutrients. By moving between flowers, it may contribute to pollination, although the importance of this service varies with the plant species involved.
Breeding information remains limited. The female builds a small, elongated or spindle-shaped nest beneath a leaf, using plant material and spider silk. Two eggs have been reported, and the female undertakes most of the incubation and early care. Observations indicate that males may inspect the nest during incubation and after the young hatch.
Identification Tips
- Look for a small hermit hummingbird with bronze-green upperparts and brownish underparts.
- The dark eye mask, pale supercilium and pale malar stripe create a distinctive facial pattern.
- Broad, dark tail feathers with contrasting pale tips are especially useful when the bird is seen from behind or in flight.
- The bill is gently decurved rather than straight.
- Search in Caatinga, dry woodland, seasonal forest, forest edges and flowering vegetation, rather than assuming that the species occurs only in humid rainforest.
- The Buff-bellied Hermit and other Phaethornis hermits may occur in some parts of the broader region. Compare overall colour, facial pattern, tail-tip pattern and habitat, and avoid relying on bill shape alone.
Conservation Status
The Broad-tipped Hermit is currently assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Its total population has not been reliably quantified, and the population trend is not sufficiently well documented to support a precise estimate of increase or decline.
The principal conservation concerns are the conversion and fragmentation of seasonally dry vegetation, agricultural expansion, logging, fire and the degradation of flowering resources. Climate change may add further pressure by altering rainfall patterns, flowering seasons and the distribution of suitable habitat. Protecting Caatinga and seasonal woodland remnants, maintaining habitat connectivity and improving ecological monitoring are important conservation measures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Broad-tipped Hermit live?
It is endemic to northeastern Brazil, where it occurs mainly in Caatinga, dry woodland, seasonal forest, cerrado and related semi-open habitats.
Is the Broad-tipped Hermit a migratory bird?
It is generally regarded as resident. Local movements may occur in response to flowering and changing food availability, but regular long-distance migration has not been established.
What does the Broad-tipped Hermit eat?
It feeds mainly on nectar and supplements its diet with small insects and other arthropods.
How can the Broad-tipped Hermit be identified?
Look for its bronze-green upperparts, brownish underparts, dark facial mask, pale facial stripes and broad dark tail feathers tipped with white or pale markings.
Where is the best place to see a Broad-tipped Hermit?
Reliable documented locations include the Serra de Baturité Environmental Protection Area in Ceará, the Chapada Diamantina region in Bahia and Serra da Capivara National Park in Piauí. Local guides can improve the chance of finding this discreet species.
Is the Broad-tipped Hermit endangered?
No. It is currently classified as Least Concern, although habitat loss and fragmentation remain important regional threats and the species is not well studied.
References
- BirdLife International
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- New Range Limit of Anopetia gounellei (Aves: Trochilidae): State of Art and a Review on the Updated Area
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