Species profile
About this species
The Brazilian Ruby is a striking hummingbird endemic to the Atlantic Forest of south-eastern Brazil. The male displays a vivid ruby-red throat & chest that gleams brilliantly in direct sunlight, while the female is more subdued with a white-spotted throat & rufous underparts. It is a medium-sized hummingbird that feeds on nectar from a variety of forest flowers & is known for its fast, agile flight.
The Brazilian Ruby is found primarily in the dense understorey & forest edges of the Atlantic Forest biome in south-eastern Brazil, including montane forests & adjacent gardens or parks where flowering plants are present. It favours humid forest environments at elevations ranging from lowland areas up to approximately 2000 metres.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Brazilian Ruby with us in Brazil.
These departures are part of our South America programme.
In the field, David Miles helps guests make the most of these encounters.
Field notes
Photography notes
Early morning hours shortly after dawn offer the best light & most active feeding behaviour. The species is most reliably photographed during the flowering season in the Atlantic Forest, typically between August & January when nectar sources are most abundant.
Position yourself near flowering plants such as bromeliads or heliconias where the species regularly feeds, using a fast shutter speed of at least 1/1600s to freeze the rapid wingbeats. Use a telephoto lens of 300-500mm to maintain a comfortable working distance & avoid disturbing the bird, while a burst mode setting will help capture the perfect moment mid-flight. A portable external flash or fill flash can help illuminate the iridescent plumage, particularly the male's ruby-red gorget, which can appear dark without adequate light.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Brazilian Ruby
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.