Taxonomy and systematics
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.Hinkelmann, C., G. M. Kirwan, and P. F. D. Boesman (2020). Bronzy Hermit (''Glaucis aeneus''), 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.broher.01 retrieved November 14, 2021Description
The bronzy hermit is long. Males weigh and females . 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.Distribution and habitat
The bronzy hermit has two separate populations. One is found from eastern Honduras through eastern Nicaragua and eastern and western Costa Rica into western Panama. The other is found from western Colombia into northwestern Ecuador as far south as Pichincha Province. The species inhabits semi-open landscapes such as disturbed primary forest, matureBehavior
Movement
The bronzy hermit is believed to be non-migratory throughout its range.Feeding
The bronzy hermit feeds on nectar at '' Heliconia'' and other plants. Small arthropods are also eaten; the latter are usually hover-gleaned from spider webs, leaves, and twigs, and occasionally caught in flight.Breeding
The bronzy hermit's breeding season varies geographically by has not been fully defined. Its nest is a cone-shaped cup made of plant fibers bound with spider web and decorated with lichens, attached to the underside of a drooping leaf. The clutch size is two eggs.Vocalization
The bronzy hermit's song is "a high-pitched descending phrase 'tsee-tsee-tsi-tsi-tsitstitsi' irregularly altered with a series of high-pitched 'seee' notes". Its flight call is "a sharp high-pitched 'tzeeet!'."Status
TheReferences
Additional reading
*''A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica'' by F. Gary Stiles and Alexander F. Skutch *''Hummingbirds of Costa Rica'' by Michael Fogden and Patricia FogdenExternal links