Topaza pella
The Crimson Topaz (Topaza pella) is an awe-inspiring jewel of the Amazonian rainforest, renowned as one of the largest and most spectacularly colored hummingbirds. Males boast a dazzling iridescent crimson body, contrasting with a brilliant golden-green throat, a velvety black crown, and a distinctive long, forked tail with black outer feathers and unique crossed inner rectrices. Their overall length typically ranges from 19 to 23 cm (7.5-9 inches), including the elongated tail, and they weig...
Primarily inhabiting humid, lowland evergreen rainforests, the Crimson Topaz is found in both terra firme (non-flooded) and várzea (seasonally flooded) forests, often favoring areas near rivers, streams, or forest edges at elevations from sea level up to about 500 meters.
The Crimson Topaz feeds primarily on nectar from a variety of large-flowered tropical plants, supplementing its diet with small insects and spiders caught on the wing or gleaned from vegetation.
Crimson Topazes are predominantly diurnal, active from dawn to dusk, often perching conspicuously on exposed branches before initiating their foraging bouts. They are highly territorial, with males fiercely defending prime feeding and breeding areas against rivals and even other large bird specie...
The Crimson Topaz boasts a wide distribution across the northern Amazon Basin of South America, spanning multiple countries. Its core breeding and resident range includes eastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, northeastern Peru, northern Brazil, and extends through all three Guianas (Guyana, Suriname...
Least Concern
- The Crimson Topaz is one of the largest hummingbird species, with males often reaching lengths of over 20 cm, including their impressive tail streamers. - Its name, "Topaz," refers to the gemstone, reflecting the bird's dazzling, jewel-like iridescence, particularly its brilliant golden-green t...