Minute hermit facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Minute hermit |
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Phaethornis
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| Species: |
idaliae
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The minute hermit (Phaethornis idaliae) is a very tiny species of hummingbird. It lives only in Brazil, which means it is endemic to that country. This little bird is part of the Trochilidae family, which includes all hummingbirds.
Contents
About the Minute Hermit
How Scientists Classify It
Scientists group animals based on how they are related. The minute hermit was once thought to be the same species as the little hermit (P. longuemareus). Now, they are seen as two separate but closely related species. The minute hermit is also considered "monotypic," which means it is the only species in its group without any different subspecies.
What It Looks Like
The minute hermit is one of the smallest birds in the world! It grows to be about 8.4 to 9.2 centimeters (about 3.3 to 3.6 inches) long. It weighs only about 1.8 to 2.7 grams (less than a tenth of an ounce).
Male minute hermits have shiny dark green feathers on their upper body. Their throat is a dark brown color. Female minute hermits have reddish-orange feathers on their underside. Both males and females have a black "mask" around their eyes. They also have a pale stripe above their eye and another pale stripe below it.
Where It Lives
You can find the minute hermit in southeastern Brazil. Its home stretches from the state of Bahia down to the state of Rio de Janeiro.
This hummingbird likes to live in the lower parts of forests. It prefers forests that haven't been disturbed much, or those with only light changes. It also lives at the edges of these forests. Sometimes, you can find it in older re-grown forests and on forested islands. It has even been seen in Eucalyptus tree farms that are close to its usual forest home. These birds live from sea level up to about 500 meters (1,640 feet) high.
Behavior and Life
Movement
The minute hermit is thought to be a "sedentary" bird. This means it usually stays in one area and does not migrate or travel far from its home.
Feeding Habits
Like other hermit hummingbirds, the minute hermit is a "trap-line" feeder. This means it visits a regular route of flowering plants to drink nectar. It's like it has its own special path it follows every day! Besides nectar, it also eats tiny arthropods, which are small insects and spiders.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The minute hermit's breeding season happens between October and February. During this time, male hummingbirds gather in special areas called leks. Here, they perform displays to attract females.
The nest of a minute hermit is shaped like an open cup. It is carefully built and hangs from the underside of a drooping leaf. The female minute hermit lays two eggs. She is the only parent who sits on the eggs to keep them warm until they hatch.
Vocalization
The minute hermit has a unique song. It starts with a high-pitched note that it repeats three or four times. Then, it sings a faster, warbling sound that goes down in pitch. It usually sings its song from a low branch.
Status and Protection
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has listed the minute hermit as a species of "Least Concern." This means it is not currently in immediate danger of extinction. However, scientists don't know exactly how many minute hermits there are. They believe the population might be getting smaller.
The minute hermit lives in the Atlantic Forest region of Brazil. This habitat has been greatly affected by deforestation, meaning many trees have been cut down. Even though its home is shrinking, the minute hermit can be found in a few protected areas. These areas help keep its habitat safe.
