Topaz
Crimson topaz (Topaza pella)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Clade: Strisores
Order: Apodiformes
Family: Trochilidae
Subfamily: Florisuginae
Genus: Topaza
G.R. Gray, 1840
Type species
Trochilus pella
Linnaeus, 1758
Species

2, see text

The topazes are two species of hummingbirds in the genus Topaza. They are found in humid forests in the Amazon Basin. Males are by far the largest hummingbirds in their range – the giant hummingbird of the Andes is the only larger species in the family. Males have a total length of about 22 cm (8+34 in), although this includes their elongated rectrices. They are colourful, being mainly strongly iridescent golden and crimson with a black hood and a green throat. Females lack the elongated rectrices and have a mainly green plumage.[1]

Taxonomy

The genus Topaz was introduced by the English zoologist George Robert Gray in 1840 with the crimson topaz as the type species.[2][3] The genus contains two species, the crimson topaz and the fiery topaz.[4] Although generally considered to be distinct species, they have in the past been thought to be conspecific by some authors.[5]

ImageNameCommon nameDistribution
Topaza pella Linnaeus, 1758Crimson topazBrazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Topaza pyra Gould, 1846Fiery topazBrazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

References

  1. "Crimson topaz (Topaza pella)". Oiseaux Birds. 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  2. Gray, George Robert (1840). A List of the Genera of Birds : with an Indication of the Typical Species of Each Genus. London: R. and J.E. Taylor. p. 13.
  3. Peters, James Lee, ed. (1945). Check-List of Birds of the World. Vol. 5. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. p. 92.
  4. Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (July 2020). "Hummingbirds". IOC World Bird List Version 10.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  5. Hu, Da-Shih; Joseph, Leo; Agro, David (2000). "Distribution, Variation and Taxonomy of Topaza Hummingbirds (Aves: Trochilidae)" (PDF). Ornitologia Neotropica. 11: 123–142.

Further reading

  • Restall, R., C. Rodner, & M. Lentino (2006). Birds of Northern South America. Christopher Helm, London. ISBN 0-7136-7243-9 (vol. 1), ISBN 0-7136-7242-0 (vol. 2).


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