Birds
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird
Chrysolampis mosquitus
Looking almost black until the light finally catches it, a male ruby-topaz hummingbird suddenly blazes with an iridescent ruby crown and golden-topaz throat, a dramatic transformation driven entirely by the angle of a passing ray of sunlight.
Overview
The ruby-topaz hummingbird, Chrysolampis mosquitus, is a Least Concern bird found across forest edge and grassland throughout northern South America, with additional populations on some Caribbean islands. Its iridescent ruby crown and golden-topaz throat, both dependent on precise lighting angles, make it one of the more visually dramatic hummingbirds found anywhere in the region.
Colour that depends on light
Unlike pigment-based colouring, the ruby-topaz hummingbird’s crown and throat patches are structurally iridescent, meaning the bird can look almost entirely dark one moment and blaze with colour the next, purely as a result of shifting its angle relative to the sun.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread across suitable habitat throughout its range in northern South America and the Caribbean.
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird: common questions
Why does the ruby-topaz hummingbird's colour seem to change?
Its ruby crown and golden-topaz throat rely on iridescence rather than pigment, meaning the vivid colours only appear when light strikes the feathers at the right angle, otherwise looking dark or black.
Is the ruby-topaz hummingbird aggressive?
Yes, it aggressively defends favoured flowering plants against other hummingbirds and visiting insects competing for the same nectar source.
Where is the ruby-topaz hummingbird found?
It ranges widely across Venezuela, the Guianas, and parts of Brazil, with additional populations on some Caribbean islands.
What does the ruby-topaz hummingbird eat?
It is an omnivore, feeding on flower nectar supplemented with small insects caught in flight.