- Heliactin bilophus
Identification
Crown tufts of red, blue and gold, either side of its iridescent dark blue crown. Upperparts are bronzy-green, the throat and upper breast black, belly and sides of the neck are white. The tail is long and pointed and shows a dark V on white when seen in flight from below. The female similar but without the spectacular crown pattern or the black throat.
Distribution
Suriname, Brazil, and Bolivia.
Taxonomy
The Horned Sungem (Heliactin bilophus) is a monotypic species which is the only species of the genus Heliactin. The scientific name has changed from Heliactin cornuta and Heliactin bilopha to the current Heliactin bilophus.
Habitat
Woodland, grasslands and gallery forest.
Behaviour
Diet includes nectar of flowering bushes and trees as well as small insects.
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Horned Sungem. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Horned_Sungem
External Links
Search the Gallery using the scientific name:
Search the Gallery using the common name:
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.