Buffy Helmetcrest

This small bird measures 12 cm in length. The male has a distinct crest, like the other 3 species of the genus that was formerly all together. The front of the head, including dark eyes, is black, except in its symmetry. Behind the black is a light beige collar from the back of the head to the chest (white in the other 3 species). A black mark marks the light forehead that continues into a narrow, high crest, light reddish, becoming blackish on the back of the Buffy Helmetcrest's (Colibri fauve) crown. Under the black, thin, short and straight beak, a green chin continues with a long purple beard pointing towards the chest. The upper parts are greenish with golden reflections in the light. The wings are chestnut brown. The underside is a warm brown nuanced with greenish. The tail is brown, quite short and pointed, with a pale stripe on each of the rectrices. The female resembles the male, but without a crest and without bright colors on the head. The underside of the body is darker; The juvenile resembles the female but is generally more reddish.