Horned Sungem
Heliactin bilophus
The Horned Sungem (Heliactin bilophus) is a rare hummingbird found in 3 countries, weighing about 4 g. The horned sungem is a species of hummingbird native to much of central Brazil and parts of Bolivia and Suriname.
About the Horned Sungem
The horned sungem is a species of hummingbird native to much of central Brazil and parts of Bolivia and Suriname. It prefers open habitats such as savanna and grassland and readily occupies human-created habitats such as gardens. It recently expanded its range into southern Amazonas and Espírito Santo, probably as a result of deforestation; few other hummingbird species have recently expanded their range. The horned sungem is a small hummingbird with a long tail and a comparatively short, black bill. The sexes differ markedly in appearance, with males sporting two feather tufts ("horns") above the eyes that are shiny red, golden, and green. Males also have a shiny blue head crest and a…
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How to identify it
The horned sungem is a small hummingbird with a long tail, measuring 9.5 to 11 cm (3.7 to 4.3 in) in length and weighing 1.8 to 2.8 g (0.06 to 0.10 oz). Both the male and female are light-colored with a metallic yellow-green upperside and a white underside. The sides of the neck are also white, giving the impression of a half-collar. The flight feathers are black-brown, and the bill and feet are black. The bill is slender, straight, and comparatively short, measuring 1.6 cm (0.63 in) in length. Voice: In flight, the horned sungem gives an intricate series of high-pitched sounds. Other calls have been described as "tsit", "tseet", or "chup", and are given repeatedly.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Horned Sungem can be seen all year round, with peak activity in August. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Horned Sungem?
- The horned sungem is a small hummingbird with a long tail, measuring 9.5 to 11 cm (3.7 to 4.3 in) in length and weighing 1.8 to 2.8 g (0.06 to 0.10 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Horned Sungem?
- The Horned Sungem is a tiny sized bird weighing about 4 g.
- Where can you see a Horned Sungem?
- The Horned Sungem occurs in 3 countries, including Brazil, Bolivia and Suriname.
- What birds look similar to a Horned Sungem?
- The Horned Sungem is most easily confused with the Bee Hummingbird, the Green-breasted Mountaingem and the Wine-throated Hummingbird.
- Is the Horned Sungem endangered?
- The Horned Sungem is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Horned Sungem for real
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