| Bearded Mountaineer | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Apodiformes |
| Family: | Trochilidae |
| Genus: | Oreonympha Gould, 1869 |
| Species: | O. nobilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Oreonympha nobilis Gould, 1869 |
|
The Bearded Mountaineer (Oreonympha nobilis) is a species of hummingbird in the Trochilidae family. It is found only in Peru. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland.
The ornithologist John Gould described the species in 1869, from a specimen collected by H. Whitely at Tinta District, and placed it in its own genus Oreonympha. He recognised a kinship with Oxypogon and Ramphomicron.[1] The genus name is derived from the Ancient Greek words oreo- "mountain" and "nympha" "nymph", while the specific epithet is the Latin adjective nobilis, "noble". A study of mitochondrial DNA of hummingbirds shows it to be most closely related to the Bearded Helmetcrest (Oxypogon guerinii) and the Rufous-capped Thornbill (Chalcostigma ruficeps). The other member of the genus Chalcostigma lay outside the group, suggesting the genus might need revising in the future.[2] Two subspecies are recognised - the more widespread nominate subspecies nobilis has a blue eyebrow, while the more restricted albolimbata has white.[3]
Measuring 15.5 to 16.5 cm (6-6.5 in) in length, it is a large hummingbird with a long tail and a 2.4 cm (1 in) long bill. The underparts of both sexes are white, while the tail is white underneath with black feather tips. The male has a green and purple throat.[3] The upper parts are a bronze-sheened brown and the legs and bill are black.[1]
The species is endemic to Peru, where it is found in high altitude valleys in the south-central Andes, from 2700 to 3900 m (9000–13000 ft). It lives in scrubland, and often visits tobacco (Nicotiana) plants along roadsides.[3]