Tawny-bellied Hermit

The Tawny-bellied Hermit is found on both slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes, where it inhabits humid montane forests, forest edges, and dense secondary growth between roughly 750 and 3,100 meters elevation. Though generally unobtrusive and solitary, it is locally fairly common, especially in well-preserved forest understory where it follows trap-line foraging routes for nectar and small arthropods. The species is globally listed as Least Concern, with a broad range across Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, though its population is suspected to be slowly declining due to habitat loss. Breeding behavior includes suspended cone-shaped nests and lekking displays, with males showing off their long white-tipped tail feathers in shaded forest clearings.