Introduction
The Short-crested Coquette (Lophornis brachylophus) is a tiny hummingbird endemic to the Sierra de Atoyac in Guerrero, south-western Mexico. It is one of the world’s most range-restricted hummingbirds, occurring in a small area of humid mountain forest within the Sierra Madre del Sur. The species is recognised for the male’s short crest, vivid green throat and contrasting rufous plumage.
Physical Description
The Short-crested Coquette is a very small hummingbird, measuring less than about 7.5 cm in length. Like other coquettes, it has a short bill, rapid wingbeats and the ability to hover precisely while feeding.
The adult male is particularly distinctive. He has an emerald-green throat, a rufous crown and contrasting rufous-and-white plumage on the breast. Elongated crown feathers form the species’ characteristic short crest, which may be raised and fanned or held flat. The male also has conspicuous cheek tufts, although these are less extensive than those of some related coquettes.
The female is less brightly marked and lacks the male’s crest and prominent cheek tufts. Her predominantly green upperparts and more subdued underparts provide better camouflage in vegetation. Immature birds resemble females, and detailed information about age-related plumage development remains limited.
Range and Habitat
The Short-crested Coquette is endemic to Mexico and is known only from the Sierra de Atoyac in Guerrero, part of the Sierra Madre del Sur. Most documented sightings have come from a restricted road corridor between Atoyac, Paraíso and Puerto del Gallo, although recent research indicates that the species uses a larger elevational area than formerly recognised.
It inhabits humid mountain forests, including cloud forest and pine-oak woodland. Birds may also occur along forest edges, in clearings and in shade-grown coffee plantations where flowering plants are available. The known elevational range is approximately 700 to 1,500 metres, with movements between elevations reported during the year. These movements are better described as altitudinal rather than long-distance migration.
The species’ distribution is extremely restricted, making the protection of remaining forest, connecting habitat and flowering resources especially important.
Where to See This Species
Atoyac–Paraíso–Puerto del Gallo road corridor, Sierra de Atoyac, Guerrero, Mexico
This public mountain-road corridor is the most realistic documented area for searching for the Short-crested Coquette. Most sightings have been recorded along this stretch, where humid forest, pine-oak woodland, forest edges and coffee-growing areas provide suitable habitat. The bird is exceptionally scarce and local knowledge or an experienced guide is strongly advisable. Visitors should respect private land, community rules and any restrictions around conservation reserves.
Nearby accommodation: Atoyac de Álvarez is the nearest practical base, with small hotels, guest houses and other basic accommodation. Travellers may also arrange lodging in nearby rural communities where available.
Behaviour and Diet
The Short-crested Coquette is usually encountered alone and is often quiet, giving a soft, high-pitched tsip call. Its wings produce a faint whirring sound during hovering flight. Like other small hummingbirds, it can move rapidly between flowers and may perch briefly before making another feeding flight.
It feeds mainly on nectar from small flowers, including flowers of Inga trees associated with coffee plantations and Cecropia trees growing in forest openings and along edges. It also takes small insects, including prey caught in the air, and may consume fruit during the rainy season. Larger hummingbirds can displace it from feeding sites, so the species may use different feeding heights or less contested flowers.
Breeding behaviour is poorly documented. The female is expected to undertake nest building and incubation, as in other hummingbirds, but published information on the Short-crested Coquette’s nest, clutch size, incubation period and fledging period is insufficient for confident species-specific figures. Courtship displays have not been adequately documented.
Identification Tips
- Look for a very small hummingbird in humid mountain forest, coffee plantations and forest edges in the Sierra de Atoyac.
- The male’s short, spiky crest, emerald-green throat and rufous crown are the strongest field marks.
- The male’s contrasting rufous-and-white breast and cheek tufts are also useful at close range.
- Females and immature birds are much plainer, with green upperparts and subdued underparts, and lack the male’s crest and cheek tufts.
- Do not confuse it with the Rufous-crested Coquette, Lophornis delattrei, which has a different distribution and differs in crest length, bill colour, male tail pattern and female throat pattern.
- Because the species is minute, quiet and highly localised, brief views may be difficult to confirm. Habitat, location and the presence or absence of the male’s distinctive crest should all be considered.
Conservation Status
The Short-crested Coquette is classified as Critically Endangered. It has a very small global range and a small, declining population. The species is threatened primarily by the loss and fragmentation of mountain forest through agricultural expansion, livestock use and unsustainable logging. Forest fires and climate change may further reduce suitable habitat and alter the availability of flowering resources.
Community-based conservation is now an important part of the response. Local communities, conservation organisations, researchers and Mexican conservation authorities have established several voluntary reserves in the species’ range. These areas protect remaining forest while supporting wildlife monitoring, fire prevention and community management. Continued protection of forest habitat, restoration of degraded areas and further research into seasonal movements and breeding biology remain priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Short-crested Coquette found?
It is endemic to the Sierra de Atoyac in Guerrero, Mexico, within the Sierra Madre del Sur. It is not naturally found in Guatemala, Honduras or South America.
Is the Short-crested Coquette migratory?
It is not a long-distance migrant. Altitudinal movements between different elevations have been reported, probably in response to seasonal conditions and food availability.
What does the Short-crested Coquette eat?
Its diet consists mainly of nectar from small flowers, supplemented by small insects and other arthropods. Fruit has also been reported during the rainy season.
How can the male be identified?
The male is recognised by his emerald-green throat, rufous crown, contrasting breast and short raised crest. His cheek tufts provide an additional identification feature.
Why is the species critically endangered?
Its extremely small range and declining population make it vulnerable to habitat loss. Agriculture, livestock use, logging, fires and climate-related changes threaten the remaining humid mountain forest.
Where is the best place to look for this hummingbird?
The Atoyac–Paraíso–Puerto del Gallo road corridor in the Sierra de Atoyac has produced most documented sightings. The species is rare, so sightings are not guaranteed and local guidance is recommended.
References
- BirdLife International
- American Bird Conservancy
- The Auk
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