Horned Sungem

The Horned Sungem is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

The Horned Sungem (Heliactin bilophus) is a South American hummingbird, the only species, (monotypic), of the genus Heliactin. The scientific name bilophus is sometimes considered a nomen oblitum, which, if accepted, results in Heliactin cornutus being the correct name for this species. It can achieve 90 wingbeats per second when it's hovering to drink nectar from flowers. More

Arthur GrossetThe horned sungem (Heliactin bilophus) prefers dry climates and open or semi-open habitats such as forest edges and grasslands. This species is found principally in Brazil and Bolivia, and is easily identified by its long tail, bright blue cap, black chin, white chest and small iridescent “horns” of feathers above and behind the eyes. More

Horned Sungem Heliactin bilopha = Described by: Wied (1821) Alternate common name(s): Sungem, Horned Hummingbird Old scientific name(s): Heliactin bilophum, Heliactin cornuta Photographs Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil - Jul, 2002 More

Horned Sungem Heliactin bilopha = Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil - Jul, 2002 More

Horned Sungem (Heliactin bilopha) = French: Colibri aux huppes d’or German: Goldhauben-Schmuckkolibri Spanish: Colibrí Cornudito Other common names: Sungem, Horned Hummingbird Taxonomy: Trochilus bilophus Temminck, 1820, Brazil. Species of uncertain systematic position; external morphology and behaviour indicate close affinities with Heliothryx and Loddigesia. Species name has normally been given as H. cornuta, but bilopha has priority by one year. Monotypic. More

Horned Sungem (Heliactin bilophus) by Nunes D'Acosta. More

Horned SungemBirds in Suriname = - Horned Sungem Photo of a Horned Sungem, without the characteristics 'horn', made by John Mittermeier in the Sipaliwini savanna in Suriname in 2007. Each small square indicates the observation of at least one (group) of these birds, the medium ones at least 4 observations on different days and the largest ones 10 or more. More

Horned Sungem (Heliactin bilopha) - male Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil © Arthur Grosset Horned Sungem (Heliactin bilopha) - female Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil © Arthur Grosset Horned Sungem (Heliactin bilopha) - female Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil © Arthur Grosset - All text and images are Copyright © 2004-2009, Wildbirdgallery.com. All rights reserved. More

Horned Sungem Heliactin bilophus 2009 IUCN Red List Category (as evaluated by BirdLife International - the official Red List Authority for birds for IUCN): Least Concern Justification This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence 30% decline over ten years or three generations). More