The Santa Marta Blossomcrown is distributed in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. It has recently been split from the Tolima Blossomcrown A. berlepschi of central Colombia on the eastern slopes of the central Andes. See the distribution map at xeno-canto.

It is classified as Vulnerable by Birdlife International given its small range and the threats to its habitat within that range. It is found in humid forest at between 600 and 1,700 metres in Santa Marta and at higher elevations in central Colombia.

These photos are of a male bird which has a buffy-white forecrown. The female has a brown forecrown. Note also the white spot behind the eye, the pale buff tips to the tail and the relatively short and straight bill.

It seemed to be quite a shy bird and was easily chased from the flowers on which it was feeding by more aggressive hummingbirds such as Green Violetear Colibri thalassinus.