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Ruby Topaz? Something else? (1 Viewer)

rka

ttbirds
I saw this hummingbird at the edge of Mangrove Swamp feeding on nectar of wild flowers. While the tail resembles the male Ruby-Topaz, nothing else matches the plates in my guide.

Any ideas.

rka

Note: About 3 inches long and bill shorter than on most other hummingbirds I have seen. Bright red area on forehead.
 

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cuckooroller said:
RKA,

Looks like a male Chrysolampis mosquitus to me. I question your plates.

Steve

What's a bit strange is according to the field guide and a couple pictures I have seen, the throat/breast area shold be brilliant golden. My pictures from several angles show dull black colouring there.

I've attached a picture from a brazilian stamp which is very similar to the one in my field guide.
 

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rka said:
What's a bit strange is according to the field guide and a couple pictures I have seen, the throat/breast area shold be brilliant golden. My pictures from several angles show dull black colouring there.

The brilliant colors on the gorgets and crowns of many hummingbirds is caused by refraction of light by prism-like structures in the feathers. The flash of color is highly dependent on the angle of the light and can look black if the angle is not just right. We saw Ruby Topaz several times in Tobago and I recall that we never saw the golden color in the gorget. I am no expert on these birds but your photos fit with my recollection of what they looked like. Glen
 
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