Head to head
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird vs Fork-tailed Woodnymph
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird
VS Fork-tailed Woodnymph
Both are iridescently coloured hummingbirds of South America, but their ranges and colour patterns differ.
| Ruby-topaz Hummingbird | Fork-tailed Woodnymph | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Chrysolampis mosquitus | Thalurania furcata |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Distinguishing feature | Ruby crown, golden-topaz throat | Violet-blue body, forked tail |
| Range | Northern South America, Caribbean | Amazon basin |
| Habitat | Forest edge, grassland | Rainforest understory |
| Abundance | Common within its range | Among the most common Amazon hummingbirds |
| Colour behaviour | Appears dark except at certain angles | Consistently vivid violet-blue |
| Diet | Nectar and insects | Nectar and insects |
Ruby-topaz Hummingbird vs Fork-tailed Woodnymph: common questions
Which hummingbird's colour depends most on viewing angle?
The ruby-topaz hummingbird's does, with its ruby crown and golden-topaz throat appearing almost black except when light strikes at a precise angle, unlike the more consistently vivid violet-blue plumage of the fork-tailed woodnymph.
Which hummingbird is more commonly encountered?
The fork-tailed woodnymph is, ranking among the most frequently seen hummingbirds across the Amazon basin, compared to the more geographically limited ruby-topaz hummingbird.
Do these two hummingbirds share the same range?
Not closely; the ruby-topaz hummingbird is found across northern South America and some Caribbean islands, while the fork-tailed woodnymph is restricted to the Amazon basin further south and west.