Phaethornis eurynome (R.Lesson, 1832)

Nomenclature

This hummingbird species, commonly called the scale-throated hermit, has the scientific name Phaethornis eurynome (R.Lesson, 1832).

Length

It reaches an overall length of approximately 14 to 14.5 cm (5.5 to 5.7 in).

Weight

Males weigh between 4.5 and 6 g (0.16 to 0.21 oz), while females weigh 4 to 5 g (0.14 to 0.18 oz).

General Plumage

This is a medium-sized hermit hummingbird, with olive green plumage on its upperparts and grayish plumage on its underparts.

Throat Markings

Its dark throat features feathers with lighter edges, which create the scaly appearance that gives the species its common name.

Facial Markings

The bird’s face has a black "mask", paired with a pale supercilium and a pale gular stripe.

Tail Features

All tail feathers have white tips, and the middle pair of tail feathers is longer than the rest.

Sexual Dimorphism

The sexes have similar appearance, though females have shorter wings and a bill that is less strongly decurved.

Subspecies Count

The species has two recognized subspecies.

Subspecies Morphology

The two share identical plumage, but P. e. paraguayensis is significantly smaller than the nominate subspecies.

Nominate Subspecies Range

The nominate subspecies is distributed in southeastern Brazil, ranging from southeastern Bahia south to Rio Grande do Sul.

P. e. paraguayensis Range

P. e. paraguayensis is found in eastern Paraguay and the Misiones Province of northeastern Argentina.

Habitat Biome

The species inhabits the understory across multiple landscape types within the Atlantic Forest biome.

Habitat Types

These include lowland rainforest, montane rainforest, semi-deciduous forest, and mature secondary forest.

Elevation Range

It has been recorded at elevations between 100 and 2,250 m (330 to 7,400 ft).