A large hummer, and immediately recognised by its dull brown plumage, broken by a pale moustache. The violet ears add a touch of colour. Juveniles are a more ginger brown, especially on the rump. The pale moustache is reminiscent of the face pattern of a hermit, but the violet-ear does not have the long bill or flashing white tail of Tawny-bellied Hermit (the only hermit in the area). Brown Violet-ears sometimes go missing around January, but are usually present during the rest of the year. Their characteristic monotonous song ("chink, chink, chink, chink, chink...") is a regular part of the chorus around the lodge.