Reddish Hermit

Red Dwarf shadow Hummingbird

Called The Red Dwarf shadow Hummingbird ( Phaethornis ruber), also Rotbaucheremit or Summvogel, is one of only 9 inches great representative of the family of hummingbirds.

Appearance

The red dwarf shadow Hummingbird has a red -colored plumage on the belly and neck. The upper head area is dark green, the back and tail are brown. The upper jaw part is silver. The lower part of the spout, the base of the tail and legs are black. Behind the eye and chest, he has a prominent thick black stripes in the leg area and the plumage is white. The total weight of birds is only about 2 grams.

Dissemination and lifestyle

In search of its food, mainly nectar and insects, he flies through the jungles of Guyana, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia and Brazil. There he lived in the undergrowth of rain forests and bushes and trees of the forest edges. This little bird occupied a territory, which he vigorously defended against conspecifics. Due to its rapid wing beats, he creates a humming noise, similar to that of bumblebees. The song of the birds, which can be heard from dawn to dusk, is described as loud Quietschton.

Special Anatomy

In contrast to the other hummingbird species that has a specially shaped upper arm tendon, as well as other representative of its genus.

Reproduction

For reproduction time several males carry their songs, shrill and loud shouts, in a so-called lek females before. The females then select themselves out of their breeding partners. The club-shaped nests of birds are located near the ground, usually at the end of long palm fronds.

Threats and conservation measures

Although the stock has decreased, this species is still relatively common, therefore leading the IUCN this type in the category (Least Concern ) low risk.

Subspecies

According to the IOC World Bird list four subspecies are distinguished, which differ in their coloration, their size and distribution:

• Phaethornis ruber episcopus Gould, 1857 can be found in the central and eastern Venezuela, Guyana and the northwest of Brazil.
• Ruber ruber Phaethornis (Linnaeus, 1758) in Suriname and French Guiana to Brazil, southeastern Peru and northern Bolivia presence.
• Phaethornis ruber nigricinctus Lawrence, 1858 is spread from eastern Colombia about southwest of Venezuela to northern Peru.
• Phaethornis ruber longipennis Berlepsch & proud man, 1902 is found in the south of Peru.

Etymology and History of Research

Carl Linnaeus described the Hummingbird originally ruber under the name Trochilus. The type specimen for description came from Suriname.

The term " Phaethornis " derives from the Greek words " Phaethōn Φαέθων " for " the shining one, the Radiant " and " ornis, όρνις " from for " bird". The epithet " ruber " is the Latin word for " red". Also " episcopus " is of Latin origin and means " bishop", in allusion to the significantly thicker black breast band of this subspecies. Also " nigricinctus " refers to the black band. It is a Latin word combination of the words " less " for " black" and " cinctus " for " banded ". The word " longipennis " is also of Latin origin and is composed of the words " longus " for " long" and " penna " for " spring " together. The name refers to the slightly longer wings of this subspecies.