Bronzy Hermit

About the Bronzy Hermit

The bronzy hermit (Glaucis aeneus) is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. The bronzy hermit and the rufous-breasted hermit (G. hirsutus) have been considered conspecific but now are treated as a superspecies. The bronzy hermit is monotypic although the separate Central and South American populations have sometimes been treated as subspecies.

The bronzy hermit is 9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 3.9 in) long. Males weigh 3 to 6.5 g (0.11 to 0.23 oz) and females 3 to 6 g (0.11 to 0.21 oz). The male's bill is decurved and the maxilla has serrated edges. The female's bill has more curve and no serrations. The sexes' plumages are alike, with bronzy or coppery green upperparts, deep buff thoat and breast, and pale buff belly. The face has a white "moustache" and is otherwise dusky. The upperside of the tail is gray-green with white tips and the underside reddish near the body, blackish in the middle, and white at the tips. The Central American population has slightly longer wings than the South American but their plumages are identical. Wikipedia →