Tawny-bellied Hermit (Phaethornis syrmatophorus) [XC10387]
by Oscar Humberto Marin-Gomez from Mindo, Pichincha, Ecuador (call)
Tawny-bellied Hermit (Phaethornis syrmatophorus) [XC32032]
by Frank Lambert from Tandayapa Bird Lodge, Tandayapa Valley, Pichincha, Ecuador (lekking)
Subspecies
Closest to Koepcke's Hermit (Phaethornis koepckeae) and Needle-billed Hermit (Phaethornis philippii). Subspecies well distinguished and might be different species. Description of berlepschi based on an immature bird of nominate subspecies. Subspecies huallagae, described for birds from northern Peru, is inseparable from columbianus.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
syrmatophorus Gould, 1851 - Western Andes of Colombia (including Cauca/Patía Valley) to south-western Ecuador.
columbianus Boucard, 1891 - Eastern Andes of Colombia, including southern Magdalena Valley, to northern Peru.