Species profile
About this species
The Ruby-topaz Hummingbird is a small, brilliantly coloured hummingbird found across northern South America & Trinidad. The male is particularly striking, displaying a vivid ruby-red crown & golden-orange gorget that glitter intensely in direct sunlight. Females are more subdued in colouring, with greenish upperparts & pale underparts.
Open woodland, scrub, forest edges, gardens & savannah across northern South America & the Caribbean island of Trinidad, where it favours areas with abundant flowering plants.
Where to photograph
Where our trips feature this species
You can photograph Ruby-topaz Hummingbird with us in Trinidad & Tobago.
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 offer the best light for capturing iridescent plumage. The April Trinidad trip coincides with the dry season transition, when hummingbirds are highly active around flowering plants. Peak activity is typically from dawn until mid-morning.
Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/2000s to freeze the rapid wingbeats & capture sharp detail in the iridescent plumage. Position yourself with the sun behind you to maximise the jewel-like colour in the male's crown & gorget, as the colours only appear at the correct angle to light. On the Trinidad trip in April, visit flowering gardens & forest edges early in the morning when birds are most active & the soft light is ideal for capturing their colours.
Available holidays
Trips featuring Ruby-topaz Hummingbird
The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article.