214
WHITE-TIPPED SICKLEBILL Eutoxeres aquila 12.5–13.5cm. Spectacular, if
dull-plumaged, rather thickset hermit of humid lower foothill forest understory
and edge, adjacent plantations, Heliconia thickets. Habits much like hermits, but
usually clings to flowers (rather than hovers) when feeding. Singing males gather
in small leks in dense understory and Heliconia patches. Note unique striped
underparts, strongly arched bill, white tail tip. Sexes similar; juv. has buff tinge to
pale underpart streaks. SOUNDS: High tsit in flight, at times in short rapid series.
Song a varied, often prolonged series of high squeaky chips with slightly jerky,
unhurried cadence, sometimes for a min or longer. STATUS: Uncommon to scarce
on both slopes, mainly 300–1200m. (Costa Rica to Peru.)
GREEN HERMIT Phaethornis guy Male 14–15cm; female 15.5–16.5cm. Spec
tacular large hummer of humid foothill forest and edge, adjacent second
growth. Feeds mostly at low to mid-levels, at times up to subcanopy; singing
males gather at leks in dense understory. Distinctive, with long arched bill,
overall dark plumage, and deep green upperparts; limited overlap with much
paler Long-billed Hermit of lowlands. Female has long white tail streamers.
SOUNDS: High sharp sriek, slightly higher and tinnier than Long-billed Hermit.
Song a monotonously repeated, twangy, and slightly metallic jriek, jriek..., 1–2
notes/sec; lower, more metallic than Long-billed Hermit. STATUS: Fairly
common on both slopes, mainly 500–2000m. (Costa Rica to nw. S America.)
GREEN-FRONTED LANCEBILL Doryfera ludovicae 11–12cm. Dark, very
long-billed hummer of humid foothill forest, typically near streams and
waterfalls. Feeds low to high, often in canopy and at edges, especially on long-
tubed hanging flowers; also hawks insects. Note habits, long and slightly
upswept bill, overall dark plumage with white eyespot, bronzy crown and nape.
Cf. larger and bulkier male Talamanca Hummingbird. SOUNDS: High, thin,
downslurred ssip, perched and in flight; hard smacking tsik when feeding, at
times run into short rattles. STATUS: Uncommon on both slopes, mainly 750–
2500m; rarely below 1500m on Pacific slope. (Costa Rica to S America.)
PLAIN-CAPPED STARTHROAT Heliomaster constantii 12–13cm. Large,
long-billed hummer of drier forest edge, second growth, hedgerows, often near
streams. Zips quickly between flower patches; also spends time flycatching with
jerky hovering flight and often perches on prominent bare twigs or wires over
streams. Note very long straight bill, broad white mustache bordering dark
throat, white back patch; local overlap with Long-billed Starthroat, which
favors more-humid habitats, is darker overall with whitish eyespot (vs. whitish
stripe on Plain-capped), lacks dark notches in white tail corners. Sexes similar;
juv. has little or no reddish on throat. SOUNDS: High sharp peek! recalls Black
Phoebe. Song (?) a persistent high chipping from perch. STATUS: Uncommon on n. Pacific slope and into
Central Valley, mainly below 1500m, rarely to 2200m; scarce and local in s. Pacific foothills. (Mexico to
Costa Rica.)
LONG-BILLED STARTHROAT Heliomaster longirostris 11.5–12.5cm. Large,
long-billed hummer of humid forest edge, adjacent clearings and gardens with
flowering bushes. Habits much like Plain-capped Starthroat, but tends to perch
less conspicuously. Note face pattern, very long straight bill, white back patch; cf.
drabber and usually paler Plain-capped Starthroat. Male has iridescent turquoise-
blue crown (varying to blue-green in north); female crown duller blue-green. Juv.
has little or no reddish on throat. SOUNDS: Sharp chiup while feeding and
hovering, quite distinct from Plain-capped Starthroat. STATUS: Uncommon to
fairly common on s. Pacific slope, uncommon to scarce on Caribbean slope,
rarely to 1500m. (Mexico to S America.)
