Phaethornis anthophilus (Bourcier, 1843)

Taxonomy and Basic Classification

The pale-bellied hermit (scientific name Phaethornis anthophilus (Bourcier, 1843)) is a medium-sized hermit hummingbird.

Length

It is approximately 13 cm (5.1 in) long.

Weight

Males weigh 4.5 to 5.5 g (0.16 to 0.19 oz), while females weigh 4 to 5 g (0.14 to 0.18 oz).

Plumage Coloration

It has dark green to olive green upperparts and light gray underparts.

Facial Markings

Its face features a black "mask", a buffy supercilium, and a mostly white throat.

Bill Morphology

The male's bill is almost straight, and the female's bill is decurved.

P. a. hyalinus Subspecies Traits

The subspecies P. a. hyalinus has more bluish green upperparts and paler underparts than the nominate subspecies.

Suggested P. a. fuscicapillus Subspecies Traits

Individuals belonging to the suggested subspecies P. a. fuscicapillus have shorter wings and bills than other members of the nominate subspecies.

Nominate Subspecies Distribution

The full nominate subspecies as currently treated is distributed across central Panama; northern, central, and eastern Colombia; and western and northern Venezuela.

Suggested P. a. fuscicapillus Distribution

The suggested P. a. fuscicapillus corresponds to the population found in Colombia's Eastern Andes, and may also include the Venezuelan population of the species.

P. a. hyalinus Distribution

P. a. hyalinus occurs only on the Pearl Islands off the Pacific coast of Panama.

Primary Habitat

The pale-bellied hermit primarily inhabits semi-deciduous forest.

Secondary Habitats

It can also be found in drier woodland, secondary forest, gallery forest, plantations, and brushy, thorny landscapes.

Elevation Range

It occurs at elevations ranging from sea level to approximately 1,500 m (4,900 ft).