Tapajós hermit

The Tapajós hermit (Phaethornis aethopygus) is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is endemic to Brazil.[3]

Tapajós hermit
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Class: Aves
Clade: Strisores
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Genus: Phaethornis
Species:
P. aethopygus
Binomial name
Phaethornis aethopygus
Zimmer, 1950

Taxonomy and systematics

The Tapajós hermit was first described in 1950 as a subspecies of the little hermit (P. longuemareus).[4] At that time many small hermits now treated as separate species were considered subspecies of the little hermit, and the Tapajós hermit was believed to be most closely related to the black-throated hermit (P. atrimentalis).[4] In 1996 it was suggested that the Tapajós hermit was entirely invalid, and actually represented a hybrid between the reddish (P. ruber) and streak-throated (P. rupurumii) hermits.[5] In 2009 this hypothesis was shown to be incorrect,[6] and the Tapajós hermit was recognized as a valid species.[7]

The Tapajós hermit is monotypic.[3]

Description

The Tapajós hermit is about 9 cm (3.5 in) long. The male has a metallic olive green crown and back with reddish edges to the feathers and a rich reddish rump. The tail is rounded; the feathers are dusky brownish with reddish shafts and all but the outermost have white at their base. The face is blackish with a pale supercilium and a reddish malar stripe. The chin is white and the throat black becoming rufous on the neck, chest, and belly. The female is similar but with a paler rump and buffy olive underparts with a reddish tinge.[8]

Distribution and habitat

The Tapajós hermit is found in Brazil between the Tapajós and Xingu Rivers, north-flowing tributaries of the Amazon River. It inhabits primary forest but also tolerates logged and burned areas. It has been observed in a heavily disturbed terra firme area.[8]

Behavior

Feeding

The Tapajós hermit feeds on nectar and is assumed to also consume small insects and other invertebrates.[8]

Breeding

Male Tapajós hermits display to females at leks, but nothing else is known about the species' breeding phenology.[8]

Vocalization

The Tapajós hermit's song is "a long high-pitched phrase repeated incessantly without pauses between phrases...e.g. 'tsi ... tsi ... tsi ... tsi .. tsi-tsi-tse-tsee-chup-chup'."[8]

Status

The IUCN has assessed the Tapajós hermit as Vulnerable. Its population size is not known but is thought to be declining due to deforestation and the paving of a major highway with accompanying development.[1]

References
  1. BirdLife International (2018). "Tapajos Hermit Phaethornis aethopygus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22736463A131358580. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22736463A131358580.en. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  2. "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. Gill, F.; Donsker, D.; Rasmussen, P. (July 2021). "IOC World Bird List (v 11.2)". Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  4. Zimmer, J. T. (1950). Studies of Peruvian Birds #55. The hummingbird genera Doryfera, Glaucis, Threnetes, and Phaethornis. American Museum Novitates 1449: 1–51.
  5. Hinkelmann, C. (1996). Evidence for natural hybridisation in hermit hummingbirds (Phaethornis spp.). Bulletin B.O.U. 116: 5–14.
  6. Piacentini, V. Q., A. Aleixo, & L. F. Silveira (2009). Hybrid, subspecies or species? The validity and taxonomic status of Phaethornis longuemareus aethopyga Zimmer, 1950 (Trochilidae). Auk 126: 604-612.
  7. Piacentini, V. Q. (2010). Recognize Phaethornis aethopyga as a valid species. Archived 2010-06-28 at the Wayback Machine South American Classification Committee. Accessed 13 August 2010
  8. Fjeldså, J. and P. F. D. Boesman (2020). Tapajos Hermit (Phaethornis aethopygus), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie, and E. de Juana, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.lither3.01 retrieved November 25, 2021
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