Introduction
The Scale-throated Hermit (Phaethornis eurynome) is a medium-sized hummingbird of the Atlantic Forest and neighbouring subtropical forests of southeastern South America. It belongs to the hummingbird family Trochilidae and is recognised by its long, slightly curved bill, elongated tail and distinctive scaled throat. Unlike the original article suggests, the species is not restricted exclusively to Brazil, occurring also in eastern Paraguay and north-eastern Argentina.
Physical Description
The Scale-throated Hermit has greenish-brown upperparts, darker wings and a brownish-grey underside. The throat is marked with pale-edged, scale-like feathers, while the head commonly shows a buff supercilium and a darker area around the ear-coverts. The long tail has conspicuous pale or white markings on the outer feathers and tips of the central feathers.
It is approximately 11–12 centimetres long, although measurements vary between individuals and populations. The bill is long and gently curved, an adaptation for reaching nectar in tubular flowers. Males and females are broadly similar in plumage, with females generally smaller. Juveniles resemble adults but may appear duller and less sharply marked.
Range and Habitat
The species occurs from south-eastern Bahia south through eastern and southern Brazil to northern Rio Grande do Sul, extending westwards into Paraná, eastern Paraguay and the Misiones region of north-eastern Argentina. Two subspecies are generally recognised: the nominate P. e. eurynome in Brazil and P. e. paraguayensis in Paraguay and north-eastern Argentina.
The Scale-throated Hermit is associated mainly with humid forest, including Atlantic Forest, montane forest, semi-deciduous forest and mature second growth. It usually forages in shaded understory and along forest trails, edges and clearings. Reported elevations range broadly from about 100 to 2,250 metres, although local populations may occupy a narrower altitudinal range. In the Serra dos Órgãos, for example, it is particularly associated with montane forest.
The species is resident rather than a long-distance migrant, although local movements may occur as flowering conditions change.
Where to See This Species
Serra dos Órgãos National Park, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The Scale-throated Hermit is documented from the park’s montane forests and has been recorded in ornithological surveys of the Serra dos Órgãos region. Shaded forest trails and areas with flowering plants offer the most suitable habitat. It is often easier to detect by its movement or call than to watch for long in dense vegetation.
Nearby accommodation: Teresópolis and Petrópolis provide practical bases with hotels, guest houses, lodges and self-catering accommodation.
Iguazú National Park, Misiones, Argentina
The species is listed in biodiversity records for Iguazú National Park and has been documented along forest roads and trails. The park’s humid subtropical forest, dense understory and extensive protected habitat make it a realistic location for searching in Argentina, particularly in quieter forested sections away from the busiest viewpoints.
Nearby accommodation: Puerto Iguazú is the main gateway settlement, with hotels, guest houses, lodges, campsites and other visitor accommodation.
Serra da Cantareira State Park, São Paulo, Brazil
Survey work in the protected forest of Serra da Cantareira recorded the Scale-throated Hermit as a common forest hummingbird, including observations at flowering plants and a feeder. Forest trails and shaded areas are more promising than open urban margins.
Nearby accommodation: São Paulo offers the widest choice of hotels, guest houses and self-catering accommodation, with smaller lodging options also available in nearby municipalities.
Behaviour and Diet
The Scale-throated Hermit is active during the day and is usually encountered alone. Like other hermits in the genus Phaethornis, it commonly follows trap-lines, visiting a sequence of flowering plants along a regular route rather than defending a single small feeding patch. Individuals may also gather at display sites, and males can be difficult to observe because they remain in shaded vegetation.
Nectar forms the main part of the diet. The long bill allows the bird to use flowers with deep or tubular corollas, including flowers of forest herbs, vines, orchids and other native plants. It also takes small insects and spiders, which provide additional protein, particularly during breeding. By carrying pollen between flowers, the species contributes to forest pollination, although the importance of that service varies between plant species and sites.
Breeding records from Brazil indicate activity mainly from September to March. The female builds a small, suspended nest using plant fibres and spider web, commonly attaching it beneath a leaf or to another slender support in a humid, sheltered part of the forest. Two white eggs are normally laid, and the female undertakes incubation and care of the young.
Identification Tips
- Look for a medium-sized hermit with a long, curved bill, elongated tail and greenish-brown plumage.
- The pale-edged feathers on the throat create the characteristic scaled appearance.
- A buff eyebrow and facial stripe can be visible when the bird pauses in good light.
- The white or pale tail markings are useful when the bird flies away through dark understory.
- Search in shaded forest, particularly along trails, near flowering plants and around narrow clearings.
- Identification is safest when plumage, tail pattern, habitat and call are considered together. Several other Phaethornis hermits can look generally brown and green in poor light, so brief views should be treated cautiously.
Conservation Status
The Scale-throated Hermit is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It remains fairly widespread and occurs in a number of protected areas, but its dependence on forest makes it vulnerable to continued habitat loss and fragmentation.
The principal conservation concerns are clearance of Atlantic Forest, isolation of remaining forest patches, degradation of the understory and the possible effects of changing temperature and rainfall patterns. Protecting connected forest, maintaining mature understory and restoring native vegetation are important measures for this species and the wider forest community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Scale-throated Hermit live?
It occurs in southeastern and southern Brazil, eastern Paraguay and north-eastern Argentina, mainly in humid Atlantic Forest and related forest habitats.
Is the Scale-throated Hermit endemic to Brazil?
No. Much of its range is in Brazil, but the species also occurs in eastern Paraguay and the Misiones region of north-eastern Argentina.
What does the Scale-throated Hermit eat?
Its diet consists mainly of nectar, supplemented by small insects and spiders. It visits flowers along regular feeding routes through the forest.
How can the Scale-throated Hermit be identified?
Look for the combination of a long curved bill, greenish-brown plumage, scaled throat, buff facial markings and pale tail tips. It is most often found in shaded forest understory.
When does the Scale-throated Hermit breed?
Breeding has been recorded mainly from September to March in Brazil. The female builds the nest, incubates the eggs and cares for the young.
Is the Scale-throated Hermit endangered?
It is currently classified as Least Concern, but forest clearance and fragmentation remain important long-term threats, especially within the Atlantic Forest.
References
- BirdLife International
- IOC World Bird List
- The Avifauna of Serra dos Órgãos, State of Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil: A Review
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