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Horned Sungem

Heliactin bilophus · Species of hummingbird
Order
Apodiformes
Codes
horsun2, HOSU

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 black throat with a pointed "beard". The female is plainer and has a brown or yellow-buff throat. The species is the only one within its genus, Heliactin.

Source: Wikipedia

Taxonomy & Classification

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderApodiformes
FamilyHummingbirds (Trochilidae)
SpeciesHeliactin bilophus
Species Codeshorsun2, HOSU

Frequently Asked Questions

What family does the Horned Sungem belong to?

The Horned Sungem (Heliactin bilophus) belongs to the Hummingbirds family (Trochilidae), in the order Apodiformes.

How can I identify 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 San...

Where can I report a Horned Sungem sighting?

You can log sightings of Horned Sungem on eBird (ebird.org) using species code horsun2, or on iNaturalist.