About Oxypogon stuebelii A.B.Meyer, 1884
Taxonomy and Length
The buffy helmetcrest (Oxypogon stuebelii A.B.Meyer, 1884) measures 11.2 to 12.7 cm (4.4 to 5.0 in) in length. It has a short, straight black bill.
Male Head and Upperparts
Males have a long buffy and black crest, a mostly black face with a buffy-white "collar", and bronzy green upperparts. Males also have a thin glittering green and blue gorget that forms a "beard".
Male Underparts
The rest of a male's underparts are grayish bronzy, blending to cinnamon-buff on the undertail coverts.
Male Tail Structure
Its tail is moderately long and forked.
Male Tail Coloration
The upper side of the tail is coppery to bronzy green, with outer feathers bearing a wide white stripe; the underside of the tail is rufous with some pale cinnamon.
Female Characteristics
Adult females are similar to males but lack the crest and beard, and their underparts are rufous buff to brownish with greenish flecks.
Juvenile Characteristics
Juveniles look similar to adult females; juvenile males have a partial crest and beard.
Species Distribution
The buffy helmetcrest is found only on Nevado del Ruiz, an active volcano in the Colombian Central Andes on the border of Tolima and Caldas departments, and the surrounding area.
Habitat and Preferred Flora
It inhabits humid open páramo, where it favors Espeletia plants.
