Hummingbirds (Trochilidae)

Pale-bellied Hermit (Phaethornis anthophilus) - HBW 5, p. 544

French: Ermite anthophile German: Fleckenkehl-Schattenkolibri Spanish: Ermitaño Ventripálido
Other common names: Black-cheeked Hermit

Taxonomy: Trochilus anthophilus Bourcier, 1843, upper Magdalena Valley, Colombia.
In past, sometimes placed in genus Ametrornis. An almost straight-billed hermit without close relatives, somewhat resembling P. eurynome. A melanistic bird of doubtful origin was described as race fuliginosus, but never verified as referring to a valid population. Birds of nominate race in E Andes of Colombia have smaller wings and bill than other populations and may be separable as fuscicapillus, should these differences also be confirmed in Venezuelan birds. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution: