Black-crested Coquette Lophornis helenae

Found from southeastern Mexico to eastern Costa Rica, Black-crested is the only species of coquette to inhabit the Atlantic slope of Middle America. There is also a small population of this species on the Pacific slope in the northern portion of its range. Male Black-crested Coquettes are characterized by their green throat and crown, the latter topped by a wispy black crest; the bronzy breast band; and elongated black-and-buff cheek feathers. Like all coquettes, the females are decidedly less 'fancy-looking' creatures, lacking the green throat, and the cheek and crest adornments. Both sexes have the narrow white rump band that is typical of the genus. Black-crested Coquette inhabits semiopen forested areas, second growth, and plantations, and usually forages in the canopy by trap-lining at flowers or catching arthropods. The altitudinal range of Black-crested Coquette extends from the lowlands to at least 1200 m, and the species also apparently makes irregular seasonal migrations.