Bronzy Hermit Glaucis aeneus Scientific name definitions

Recently split into its own species, the Bronzy Hermit is still considered by some to be conspecific with the closely related G. hirsuta. A medium-sized hummingbird, the Bronzy Hermit has a mildly decurved bill, typical of hermits, with a rufous overall coloration and a dull-green back. The Bronzy Hermit can be found within its range feeding on nectar and occasionally small arthropods in disturbed primary forests, old second-growth forests, forest borders, thickets, and shrubbery. Even though it is relatively uncommon throughout its range, the Bronzy Hermit's population is believed to be stable, and consequently has not been placed on any threatened species lists.

9–10 cm; male 3–6·5 g, female 3–6 g. Very similar to, but smaller than G. hirsutus, with, in general, slightly more decurved, all-dark bill in both sexes, deep buff rather than whitish underparts, and upperparts of a regular bronzy or coppery-green colour. Male has throat and upper breast like belly; serrated edges found only on adult male upper mandible. Female has slightly shorter wings than male and more decurved bill with no serration. Juvenile similar in coloration to that of G. hirsutus, often having buff in supercilium, crown and nape, and buff or whitish tips to back feathers, tertials and most wing-coverts, as well as perhaps more pointed rectrices with a deeper white triangle at the tip (1 Wolfe, J.D., Pyle, P. and Ralph, C.J. (2009). Breeding seasons, molt patterns, and gender and age criteria for selected northeastern Costa Rican resident landbirds. Wilson J. Orn.. 121(3): 556–567. Close ).

E Honduras, E Nicaragua and Costa Rica to W Panama; W Colombia to W Ecuador (S Pichincha).

Disturbed primary forest, dense or old second growth, forest borders, thickets and shrubbery, swamp forest, near streams. Probably favours slightly more open areas than other sympatric hermits (2 Stiles, F.G. (1995). Behavioral, ecological, and morphological correlates of foraging for arthropods by the hummingbirds of a tropical wet forest. Condor. 97(4): 853–878. Close ). Recorded to 750 m in Costa Rica and 800 m in Colombia.

Nectar, e.g. of Heliconia species; also small arthropods, especially in second growth and principally taking by hover-gleaning (often from spider webs, but also from leaves and twigs), more occasionally hawked in open flight (2 Stiles, F.G. (1995). Behavioral, ecological, and morphological correlates of foraging for arthropods by the hummingbirds of a tropical wet forest. Condor. 97(4): 853–878. Close ).

Song is a high-pitched descending phrase  “tsee-tsee-tsi-tsi-tsitstitsi” irregularly altered with a series of high-pitched “seee” notes (similar to G. hirsutus but descending phrase is longer and last notes faster, almost ending in a trill). Flight call is a sharp high-pitched “tzeeet!”.

May–Aug in Colombia, Jan–Aug in Costa Rica (but stated to be Oct–Aug in NE of country) (1 Wolfe, J.D., Pyle, P. and Ralph, C.J. (2009). Breeding seasons, molt patterns, and gender and age criteria for selected northeastern Costa Rican resident landbirds. Wilson J. Orn.. 121(3): 556–567. Close ), nest records in Jun, Jul in W Panama, gonadal data also indicate Mar and Apr in Colombia. Nest similar to that of G. hirsutus. Two eggs; development of young similar to G. hirsuta.

Not globally threatened. CITES II. Very common along the Pacific coast of the Chocó region. In the lower Anchicayá Valley, near Buenaventura, SW Colombia, density of at least 2–4 pairs/km² recorded. Recently recorded for first time in Honduras, in catchment area of Río Plátano, where was found to be one of commonest hummingbird species in Heliconia thickets. In Pacific lowlands of Costa Rica, present in Corcovado National Park, Carara Biological Reserve and Golfito National Wildlife Refuge. In Ecuador, occurs in Río Palenque Science Centre (S of Santo Domingo).