Santa Marta Blossomcrown

Santa Marta Blossomcrown (Anthocephala floriceps)

Name Origin:
The genus Anthocephala comes from the Greek anthos meaning “flower” and kephale meaning “head,” referring to the brilliant crown coloration. The species name floriceps also means “flower-headed” in Latin, reinforcing this characteristic.

Quick Facts

🪶 Length: 7.5–9 cm (3.0–3.5 in)
⚖️ Weight: ~3.5–4.0 g (0.12–0.14 oz)
🌎 Range: Endemic to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, northern Colombia
🧭 Elevation: 600–1,500 m
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small insects
🏡 Habitat: Humid forest edge, coffee plantations, and secondary growth
🧬 Clade: Trochilini (a.k.a. “emeralds”)
📊 Status: Vulnerable (IUCN 2024)

Subspecies & Distribution

Monotypic — no subspecies recognized.

Species Overview

The Santa Marta Blossomcrown is a tiny, range-restricted hummingbird with a subtle but distinctive appearance. Males have a rich rufous crown that contrasts with their bright green upperparts and white underparts. Females lack the crown but show the same crisp contrast in plumage. This species is endemic to Colombia’s isolated Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and is typically seen foraging quietly in the understory or mid-canopy.

Male Description:
Iridescent rufous crown, bright green back, clean white underparts, and a straight black bill. Tail is relatively short and slightly rounded.

Female Description:
Similar in structure but lacking the rufous crown. Crown and nape are green, underparts white with a subtle buffy wash. Tail may show faint dark and white tipping.

Habitat & Behavior:
Restricted to humid montane forest, forest edges, and adjacent coffee plantations, usually between 600 and 1,500 meters. Often feeds in dense foliage and is less conspicuous than other hummingbirds. It prefers low to mid-level flowering plants and is not particularly aggressive or vocal. Its movements are often described as slow and deliberate, making it hard to detect.

Conservation Note:
Listed as Vulnerable due to its extremely limited range and ongoing habitat degradation. Forest clearance for agriculture, especially outside protected zones, poses a significant threat. Although present in some private reserves and conservation areas, long-term survival depends on protecting remaining forest patches and promoting shade-grown agriculture. Continued monitoring and habitat restoration in the Santa Marta region are critical.

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