The Broad-tipped Hermit is a small, stocky hermit with a short, wedge-shaped tail, which inhabits the caatinga of northeastern Brazil. It is named after its unique bill, which has a broad maxilla covering the mandible, although this is difficult to observe in the field. The tail shape, intermediate between Glaucis hermits and Phaethornis hermits, is the best field identification feature. It presumably trap-lines between favored flowers like other hermits, feeding on nectar and insects along the way. There is little information available on the breeding behavior of this species.