Green-bearded Helmetcrest

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Not yet spotted on Fladder

The Green-bearded Helmetcrest is a charismatic hummingbird native to the high Andes, instantly recognizable by its impressive crest and bright green 'beard' or throat tufts. It thrives in the challenging conditions of the paramo ecosystem.

Where to spot

Found in the high Andes of Colombia and Venezuela. It inhabits high-altitude paramo, sub-paramo, and humid montane scrub, typically found at elevations between 3,000 and 4,500 meters (9,800-14,800 feet).

How to spot

Identify by its distinctive green 'beard' (throat tufts) and prominent spiky crest. Its overall plumage is largely greenish-black. Look for it foraging on low paramo flowers or perching on low shrubs and rocks. Its unique head ornamentation is a clear identifier.

When to spot

Year-round resident, observed during daylight hours. Best times for observation are generally early mornings when they are actively foraging in the open paramo landscapes.

Where to spot

How to spot

When to spot

Year-round resident, observed during daylight hours. Best times for observation are generally early mornings when they are actively foraging in the open paramo landscapes.

Credits: Wikimedia Commons

This species often utilizes a feeding strategy known as 'trap-lining,' where it visits a circuit of flowering plants in a specific sequence, maximizing its energy intake from scattered nectar sources.

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