Common Big-eared Bat vs Rufous-breasted Hermit

Micronycteris microtis compared with Glaucis hirsutus

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common Big-eared Bat	Rufous-breasted Hermit
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Aves (Birds)
Order	Chiroptera (Bats)	Apodiformes (Apodiformes)
Family	Phyllostomidae	Trochilidae
Genus	Micronycteris	Glaucis
Species	Micronycteris microtis	Glaucis hirsutus

Evolutionary Relationship

Common Big-eared Bat and Rufous-breasted Hermit share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Common Big-eared Bat

LC — Least Concern

Rufous-breasted Hermit

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common Big-eared Bat	Rufous-breasted Hermit
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Common Big-eared Bat

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Colombia and Venezuela.

Rufous-breasted Hermit

Habitat

Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

Range

Distributed across Colombia, Ecuador, Norway, and Venezuela.

Common Big-eared Bat

The common big-eared bat (<em>Micronycteris microtis</em>) is a small insectivorous bat belonging to the family Phyllostomidae, native to tropical and subtropical regions of South America. Its range includes Colombia and Venezuela, where it typically inhabits diverse terrestrial and aquatic environments including forests and riparian zones. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating a relatively stable population. As its common name suggests, <em>Micronycteris microtis</em> is distinguished by notably large ears relative to its body size, which enhance its echolocation capabilities for detecting prey and navigating complex forest environments. The species is often associated with lowland and foothill forests, roosting in caves, hollow trees, and dense vegetation. It typically feeds on insects and may also consume small vertebrates or fruit on occasion. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.

Rufous-breasted Hermit

A large hermit hummingbird of humid lowland and foothill forests from Central America through the Amazon basin, rufous-breasted hermits have cinnamon-rufous breast and underpart plumage contrasting with bronzy-green upper parts and a long curved bill. Males gather at leks — communal singing assemblies — where they perform vocal displays to attract females. They follow trap-line routes through dense forest understory. Important pollinators of large Heliconia flowers in tropical rainforest.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 2 countries:

🇨🇴 Colombia 🇻🇪 Venezuela