Phaethornis idaliae (Bourcier & Mulsant, 1856)

Commonly known as the minute hermit, Phaethornis idaliae is one of the world's smallest bird species.

Size Measurements

Adults measure between 8.4 and 9.2 cm (3.31 to 3.62 inches) in length and weigh 1.8 to 2.7 g (0.06 to 0.10 oz).

Male Plumage

Males have dark iridescent green upperparts and a dark brown throat.

Female Plumage

Females have reddish orange underparts.

Shared Facial Markings

Both sexes have a black "mask", a pale supercilium, and a pale malar stripe.

The minute hermit is distributed in southeastern Brazil, ranging from approximately Bahia south to Rio de Janeiro state.

Habitat Types

It lives in the understory of primary forest, lightly disturbed forest (including forest edges), mature secondary forest, and forested islands.

Non-Native Habitat Records

It has also been recorded in Eucalyptus plantations located near its preferred habitat.

Elevation Range

This species occurs at elevations ranging from sea level up to 500 m (1,640 ft).