Off the Beaten Track: Adventure in Search of the Blue-bearded Helmetcrest.

The tour begins from: Santa Marta.

Location: SIerra Nevada de Santa Marta  (Magdalena).

In 1946, the blue-bearded helmetcrest (Oxypogon cyanolaemus), a stunning hummingbird with a brilliant blue beard, was collected on the high páramo of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta by explorer Melbourne Armstrong Carriker, Jr. For nearly seven decades, this bird disappeared and was presumed extinct. However, in 2015, Carlos Julio Rojas captured remarkable photos of a living specimen, marking its rediscovery after 69 years. The Sierra Nevada's isolated páramo landscapes, with their harsh climate and sparse vegetation, became the final refuge of this rare species.

Endemic to Colombia, the blue-bearded helmetcrest thrives among frailejones and glacial lakes, where few dare to venture. Despite its remarkable comeback, the bird faces dire threats from habitat loss and climate change. With an estimated population of fewer than 50 individuals, it remains critically endangered. Nonetheless, sightings of young birds provide hope for its continued survival amid conservation efforts.

The Helmetcrest hummingbirds, with their striking crests and unique beards, represent nature's resilience in high-altitude páramo ecosystems. Colombia is home to three of the four species: the Green-bearded Helmetcrest (Oxypogon guerinii) thrives in Sumapaz and Chingaza National Parks. At the same time, the Buffy Helmetcrest (Oxypogon stuebelii) inhabits the rugged landscapes of Los Nevados del Ruiz National Park. Each species is perfectly adapted to the cold, oxygen-scarce environments they inhabit. The fourth, the White-bearded Helmetcrest (Oxypogon lindenii), is found in Venezuela. These birds symbolize both beauty and fragility, highlighting the need for ongoing conservation efforts in these vital páramo regions.

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