Fiery Topaz (Topaza pyra)

Order: Apodiformes Family: Trochilidae | IUCN Status: Least Concern

fiery_topaz
Age: Adult | Sex: Male | Loc. Amazonas, Brazil

fiery_topaz
Age: Adult | Sex: Male | Loc. Amazonas, Brazil

fiery_topaz
Age: Adult | Sex: Female | Loc. Amazonas, Brazil

fiery_topaz
Age: Adult | Sex: Female | Loc. Amazonas, Brazil


Identification & Behavior: ~19 cm (7.5 in). The male Fiery Topaz has a black head and green gorget. The body is mostly coppery. Both sexes have a rufous tail. The male has a long central pair of feathers that cross each other. The female is all green with rust and yellow gorget and yellow feet. The Fiery Topaz favors the canopy of forest growing in poor-nutrient soil areas where it appears to be associated with black blackwater and streams. The male is unmistakable.

Status: The Fiery Topaz is overall rare and restricted to the northern portion of Loreto. It also occurs in Co, Ec, and Br.

Name in Spanish: Topacio de Fuego.

Sub-species: Fiery Topaz (Topaza pyra amaruni)

Meaning of Name: Topaza: L. topaz= topaz. pyra: Gr. pyra= fire.

Related: Hummingbird Facts & Information

See more of the Family Trochilidae   peru aves

Distribution Map
fiery topazVoice


References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum.  http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 08/01/2015.