Large forest hummingbird with long decurved bill and long tail. Rich buffy belly and rump, obvious pale eyebrow and mustache stripe. Elongated central tail feathers with white tips, like many other large hermits. Found in subtropical forest understory in the Andes from Colombia to northern Peru, usually from 1,500–2,300 m. Higher elevation than other hermits. Usually flies by quickly in the dark forest understory uttering a piercing “tseet!” call, occasionally stopping to feed at flowers, especially Heliconia. Rarely visits feeders.