Topaza pyra
The Fiery Topaz, *Topaza pyra*, is a large and exceptionally vibrant hummingbird, earning its name from its dazzling, flame-like plumage. Males are particularly spectacular, measuring 19-23 cm (7.5-9 inches) in length and weighing 10-15 grams, showcasing an iridescent golden-green head, a fiery orange to ruby-red throat, a purplish-black body, and distinctive long, crossed tail feathers. Females are similarly colored but duller, lack the elongated tail streamers, and are slightly smaller. Key...
This species primarily inhabits humid, lowland tropical rainforests and gallery forests, often along rivers and forest edges. It is typically found at elevations below 500 meters (1,600 feet).
Their diet consists primarily of nectar from a variety of large, colorful flowers, supplemented by small insects and spiders which provide essential protein.
Fiery Topaz are diurnal and intensely active, foraging throughout the day. Males are highly territorial, aggressively defending rich patches of flowers and prominent display perches against intruders, including other hummingbirds and even larger birds. They employ a 'traplining' foraging strategy...
The Fiery Topaz is a resident species found throughout the lowlands of the western Amazon Basin in northern South America. Its primary breeding range extends across southeastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, northern Bolivia, and western Brazil. Specific regions include the Loreto and ...
Least Concern
- The Fiery Topaz is one of the largest hummingbirds in the world, with males reaching up to 9 inches in length. - Its spectacular iridescence is not due to pigment, but to the microscopic structure of its feathers, which diffract and reflect light like a prism. - The male's distinctive, long, cr...