Bearded helmetcrest


The bearded helmetcrests are a genus of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. They are found in Colombia and Venezuela. Primary natural habitat is subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, known as páramo. 4 different species of this genus were recognized in 2014.

Species

The genus Oxypogon was first described by French ornithologist Auguste Boissonneau in 1840. A study of mitochondrial DNA of hummingbirds shows it to be most closely related to the bearded mountaineer and the rufous-capped thornbill. The other member of the genus Chalcostigma lay outside the group, suggesting the genus might need revising in the future.
The most common species, the white-bearded helmetcrest, measures in length, it is a small hummingbird with a very small bill. The adult male has a distinctive pointed black crest and a shaggy white beard. The face and cheeks are blackish, rendering a triangular shape with the white fronted crest and white beard. The underparts are a dull green-grey. The female lacks the beard and crest.
The species of bearded helmetcrests are found in the Andes, ranging from altitudes of in Venezuela, and in Colombia. Its main habitat is the páramo, but can descend to the treeline outside of breeding season.
All species often perch on boulders and flit between low-flowering shrubs, visiting the flowers of the genera Espeletia, Echeveria, Siphocampylus, Castilleja and Draba.
All species breed during the rainy season, and nest in the daisy Espeletia or build a nest of material from the daisy in a cliff or bank.