Ruby-topaz Hummingbird

The ruby-topaz hummingbird, Chrysolampis mosquitus, is a diminutive avian jewel, measuring a mere 8 to 9.5 cm in length and tipping the scales at a lightweight 2.5 to 5 grams. The male of the species is particularly striking with its dark brown upperparts that carry an olive sheen, a dazzling ruby red crown and nape, and a throat and breast that shimmer in iridescent gold or sometimes emerald green. The female, while more subdued in coloration, boasts bronze-green upperparts and pale grey underparts, with a chestnut tail featuring a dark band and a white tip.

Identification Tips

To identify the male ruby-topaz hummingbird, look for its almost straight, short black bill and the distinctive glossy ruby red on its head, which contrasts with the golden or green iridescence of its throat. The female can be recognized by her more muted color palette and the white-tipped dusky-brown tail of the juveniles.

Habitat

This species thrives in open savanna-like areas, shrubby arid hillsides, gardens, and cultivated landscapes, predominantly below 500 meters but occasionally venturing up to 1,700 meters above sea level.

Distribution

The ruby-topaz hummingbird graces a wide range of locales, from eastern Panama through northern Colombia and Venezuela to the Guianas and into northeastern Brazil. Its range extends through central and eastern Brazil to Mato Grosso and eastern Bolivia, with sightings as far afield as Argentina and Peru.

Behaviour

The ruby-topaz hummingbird is known to migrate, although the specifics of its movements are not fully understood. It appears to travel in response to seasonal changes, with north-south movements in Brazil and east-west along the northern coast of South America.

Song & calls

The male's vocalizations consist of a doubled "tliii…tliii…tliii", typically delivered from a lofty perch.

Breeding

Breeding seasons vary by region, with northern populations breeding from December to June and Brazilian populations from September to March. The female constructs a delicate cup nest from plant fibers and spider silk, adorned with lichens, and lays a clutch of two eggs.

Similar Species

While the male's vibrant plumage is distinctive, similar species may be differentiated by variations in size, bill shape, and specific color patterns.

Diet and Feeding

The ruby-topaz hummingbird has a penchant for nectar from a variety of plants, with a preference for flowers with high sugar content such as those of the samaan tree and the Ixora plant. It also supplements its diet with small insects and spiders, which it captures in flight or gleans from foliage.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the ruby-topaz hummingbird as Least Concern, with a population that is common in lowland and coastal ranges and adaptable to human-modified habitats.