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Beauty in a harsh light

Ruby-topaz Hummingbird - Beija-flor-vermelho - Chrysolampis mosquitus - male - at Sítio Pau Preto - Potengi - Ceará - Brasil. Better seen large!

 

One of the most beautiful hummingbirds I've ever seen!

 

Facts: Measures 9.2 - 9.5 cm. Marked sexual dimorphism. Male with spectacular color, which stands out only in exceptional light conditions. Bright iridescent red head and nape, metallic orange-yellow throat and chest, upper and remaining dark brown underparts; black rusty tail. It is the hummingbird that has the greatest extent of iridescent feathers, and the splendid color usually appears as very dark if inadequately lit, appearing a dark hummingbird. Female with bronze-green upper parts and pale gray lower parts; dark brown tail, with the feathers of the side curls ending in small clear tips. Immature males are similar to females, but have a white dot behind the eyes and the side curls of the tail are violet bordered with white. This species has a head that appears to be horizontally elongated due to the prominent plumage of the forehead and the singular nuchal cap ("onion head"). www.wikiaves.com.br/wiki/beija-flor-vermelho

 

Happy Sunday!

 

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Uploaded on March 1, 2020
Taken on February 2, 2020