Topaz (hummingbird)
The topazes are two species of hummingbirds in the genus Topaza. They are found in humid forests in the Amazon Basin. Males are by far the largest hummingbirds in their range – the giant hummingbird of the Andes is the only larger species in the family. Males have a total length of about 22 cm (8 3⁄4 in), although this includes their elongated rectrices. They are very colourful, being mainly strongly iridescent golden and crimson with a black hood and a green throat. Females lack the elongated rectrices and have a mainly green plumage.
| Topaz | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Crimson topaz (Topaza pella) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Apodiformes |
| Family: | Trochilidae |
| Subfamily: | Trochilinae |
| Genus: | Topaza G.R. Gray, 1840 |
| Species | |
|
2, see text | |
The genus Topaza contains two separate species, the Crimson topaz and the Fiery topaz. It has been suggested that the fiery topaz should be considered a subspecies of the crimson topaz, but today all major authorities consider them as separate species.
| Image | Name | Common name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) | Topaza pella Linnaeus, 1758 | Crimson topaz | Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. |
 | Topaza pyra Gould, 1846 | Fiery topaz | Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. |
References
- Restall, R., C. Rodner, & M. Lentino (2006). Birds of Northern South America. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 0-7136-7243-9 (vol. 1), ISBN 0-7136-7242-0 (vol. 2).