Crimson Topaz (Topaza pella)

Crimson-Topazm

[order] Apodiformes | [family] Trochilidae | [latin] Topaza pella | [UK] Crimson Topaz | [FR] Colibri topaze | [DE] Topaskolibri | [ES] Topacio Candela de Cola Canela | [IT] Colibri topazio cremisi | [NL] Topaaskolibrie

Subspecies

Genus Species subspecies Breeding Range Breeding Range 2 Non Breeding Range
Topaza pella SA ne Amazonia
Topaza pella microrhyncha nc Brazil (s of the Amazon)
Topaza pella pella e Venezuela, n Brazil, Guyana and Suriname
Topaza pella smaragdulus French Guiana, ne Brazil (n of the Amazon)

Physical charateristics

Very distinctive bird, not likely to be confused. The male has long elongated tail feathers which cross halfway down, a conspicuous golden-yellow throat patch and metallic red belly. Upperparts crimson and underparts mostly brown changing to red, tail is cinnamon. Belly The female is quite different and mostly glossy green. Legs and slightly curved half long bill black.

Listen to the sound of Crimson Topaz

[audio:http://www.aviflevoland.nl/sounddb/C/Crimson Topaz.mp3]

Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto

wingspan min.: 0 cm wingspan max.: 0 cm
size min.: 21 cm size max.: 23 cm
incubation min.: 0 days incubation max.: 0 days
fledging min.: 20 days fledging max.: 21 days
broods: 0   eggs min.: 1  
      eggs max.: 3  

Range

It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. Largest hummingbird to be found in Suriname, only the Giant Hummingbird (Andes) is larger in this family.

Habitat

Found in lowland forest near granite outcrops and gallery forest along rivers and creeks. Molty high up in canopy.

Reproduction

Nest is fairly small for this relatively large species, it is cup shaped and mde ou of plant material. usually built on a vertical branch of a vine near or above water. Clutch size 2 eggs, incubated by female, duration unknown. young stay with parents for about 3 weeks after their fledging period of about 21 days. Breeds first in second year.

Feeding habits

Their food is nectar, taken from a variety of shrub and high tree flowers, and some small invertebrates which are caught by hawking often high above canopy. In Suriname also ifound foraging low on flowers.

Conservation

This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 1,600,000 km2. The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population size criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. less than 10,000 mature individuals in conjunction with appropriate decline rates and subpopulation qualifiers), even though the species is described as ‘uncommon’ in at least parts of its range (Stotz et al. 1996). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Crimson Topaz status Least Concern

Migration

Sedentary during the breeding period. After breeding may disperse following flowering season

Distribution map

Crimson Topaz range map

Literature

Title Distribution, variation, and taxonomy of Topaza hummingbirds (aves: trochilidae)
Author(s): Da-Shih Hu, Leo Joseph & David Agro
Abstract: We review the distribution, variation, and taxonom..[more]..
Source: ORNITOLOGIA NEOTROPICAL 11: 123-142

download full text (pdf)

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