Oxypogon guerinii (Boissonneau, 1840)

Scientific Nomenclature

The green-bearded helmetcrest (scientific name Oxypogon guerinii (Boissonneau, 1840)) has a total length of 11.2 to 12.7 cm (4.4 to 5.0 in).

Size and Weight

Males weigh approximately 5.7 g (0.20 oz), while females weigh 4.8 g (0.17 oz).

Bill Structure

This species has a short, straight black bill.

Adult Male Head Features

The adult male has a long white crest and a mostly dark brown to black face marked with a white "collar".

Adult Male Upperpart Coloration

Its upperparts are bronzy in color.

Adult Male Gorget Features

It bears a thin glittering green gorget with white edges that forms a "beard".

Adult Male Underpart Coloration

The rest of its underparts are grayish bronzy.

Adult Male Tail Structure and Coloration

Its tail is moderately long, forked, and colored coppery to bronzy green, with large amounts of white on the outer feathers.

Adult Female Plumage

The adult female is similar to the male, but lacks the male's crest and beard, and has buffy white underparts with some greenish mottling.

Juvenile Plumage

Juveniles look similar to the adult female; juvenile males develop a partial crest and beard.

Geographical Distribution

The green-bearded helmetcrest is distributed in the Eastern Andes of Colombia, ranging as far south as Cundinamarca Department.

Primary Habitat

It inhabits humid páramo, particularly páramo that hosts Espeletia vegetation.

Secondary Habitat

It sometimes also occurs at the edge of Polylepis woodlands.

Sex-specific Habitat Preferences

Females are often found in gorges, while males tend to stay in more open landscapes.

Elevation Range

The species occurs at elevations between 3,000 and 4,200 m (9,800 and 13,800 ft).