Species profile
About this species
The Saw-billed Hermit is a large hummingbird endemic to the Atlantic Forest of south-eastern Brazil. It is notable for its distinctive serrated bill, which gives the species its common name, and is used to feed on flowers with long corollas. The male displays striking brown & rufous plumage with a streaked underside, while the species is considered vulnerable due to ongoing habitat loss.
The Saw-billed Hermit inhabits the understorey & edges of dense Atlantic Forest in south-eastern Brazil, particularly in humid lowland & foothill forests where large flowering plants are abundant.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Saw-billed Hermit with us in Brazil.
These departures are part of our South America programme.
In the field, David Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Early morning hours shortly after dawn offer the best light & most active feeding behaviour. The species is most reliably encountered during the flowering season in spring & summer in the Atlantic Forest, typically between September & February.
Position yourself near flowering Heliconia or Passiflora plants where the bird regularly feeds, as it tends to return to the same blooms throughout the day. Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/1600s to freeze the rapid wingbeats & capture sharp detail in the feathers. A long lens of 300mm or more will allow you to maintain a respectful distance while still achieving frame-filling compositions.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Saw-billed Hermit
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.
