Phaethornis ruber (Linnaeus, 1758)

Species and Size

The reddish hermit (Phaethornis ruber (Linnaeus, 1758)) is 8 to 9 cm (3.1 to 3.5 in) long and weighs 1.8 to 3 g (0.06 to 0.11 oz).

Adult General Plumage

Across all subspecies, adults generally have dark green and rufous upperparts, and cinnamon rufous underparts.

Male Plumage

Males have a black chest band, and their tail feathers have narrow white or reddish tips.

Female Plumage

Females have lighter underparts than males.

Subspecies Overview

Four subspecies are recognized, each with distinct traits and ranges.

P. r. episcopus Traits

The subspecies P. r. episcopus is roughly the same size as the nominate subspecies, but has orange-rufous instead of cinnamon-rufous underparts, and white tail tips.

P. r. episcopus Distribution

It is distributed across central and eastern Venezuela, Guyana, and Roraima state in northwestern Brazil.

Nominate Subspecies Distribution

The nominate subspecies P. r. ruber is found in Suriname and French Guiana, and ranges through Brazil as far south as northern Paraná state, westward to southeastern Peru and northern Bolivia.

P. r. nigricinctus Traits

P. r. nigricinctus is the smallest subspecies, and has the richest rufous underparts.

P. r. nigricinctus Distribution

It occurs in eastern and southern Colombia, extreme southwestern Venezuela, and extends south through eastern Ecuador into northeastern Peru and northwestern Brazil.

P. r. longipennis Traits

P. r. longipennis is the largest subspecies; it has a whitish chin, and the central tail feathers have rufous tips.

P. r. longipennis Distribution

Its distribution is limited to southeastern Peru, from the department of Pasco to northern Cuzco.