Colombian name: Barbudito Paramuno

The species formerly known as Bearded Helmetcrest Oxypogon guerinii has been split by The HBW and Birdlife Checklist into 4 species: Blue-bearded Helmetcrest O. cyanolaemus from the Santa Marta Mountains; White-bearded Helmetcrest O. lindenii from north-west Venezuela; Green-bearded Helmetcrest O. guerinii from the eastern Andes of Colombia and Buffy Helmetcrest O. stuebelii restricted to the Nevado del Ruiz where these photos were taken.

It is found above the treeline in páramo at between 3,000 and 5,200 metres and is especially linked to Espeletia vegetation (shown in photos 1 to 3). The Espeletia provides nectar and insect larvae for food and the fibres are used to build the nest. Because the air is so thin at these altitudes it often clings to the flowers while feeding rather than hovering.