The black-hooded sunbeam (Aglaeactis pamela) is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae.

[3] The black-hooded sunbeam is about 12 cm (4.7 in) long including its 15 mm (0.59 in) straight black bill.

Juveniles are somewhat browner than adults, with a reduced breast tuft and an olive cast to the tail.

[5] The black-hooded sunbeam is found only in the Andes of northern Bolivia, mainly in the departments of La Paz and Cochabamba.

Though the black-hooded sunbeam's vocalizations are not well known, it has been reported giving a "high pitched zeet-zeet-zeet", and other calls during antagonistic encounters.