Oxypogon guerinii
The dazzling Green-bearded Helmetcrest (*Oxypogon guerinii*) is a high-altitude hummingbird showcasing one of the most remarkable plumages in the avian world. Males possess an unmistakable iridescent emerald-green "beard" (gorget) that shimmers brilliantly, contrasting sharply with a white collar and a prominent, spiky crest resembling a helmet. Measuring approximately 11-13 cm (4.3-5.1 in) in length and weighing 4.5-5.5 g (0.16-0.19 oz), both sexes feature a short, straight black bill, bronz...
This species is a specialist of the high-altitude paramo, characterized by tussock grasses, dwarf shrubs, and rocky outcrops. It typically inhabits elevations between 3,000 and 5,200 meters (9,800-17,000 ft).
The primary diet consists of nectar, particularly from high-Andean plants like *Espeletia* (frailejón), *Puya*, and various Ericaceae. It also supplements its diet with small arthropods, which provide essential protein, captured by gleaning or aerial hawking.
Active during the day, the Green-bearded Helmetcrest often forages by day and enters a state of torpor at night to conserve energy against the extreme cold. It primarily employs a trap-lining foraging strategy, visiting a regular circuit of flowering plants, but also gleans small insects from veg...
The Green-bearded Helmetcrest (*Oxypogon guerinii* sensu stricto) is endemic to the Eastern Cordillera of the Colombian Andes, making it a true regional specialist. Its distribution spans high-altitude paramo ecosystems within the departments of Boyacá, Cundinamarca, Meta, and Santander. This res...
Least Concern
- The genus name *Oxypogon* comes from ancient Greek, meaning "sharp beard," aptly describing the male's distinctive gorget. - This species is a high-altitude specialist, regularly found at elevations over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet), enduring daily temperature swings from freezing nights to sunny ...