Brazilian Ruby (Clytolaema rubricauda)

 

Synonyms: Heliodoxa rubricauda

 

 

Clytolaema rubricauda is endemic to the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil, from southeastern Bahia to northern Rio Grande do Sul. It inhabits forest edge, woodlands, and gardens in foothills and mountains, at 750-2,000 m. It is a relatively large (ca. 11 cm in length, weight 6-9 g) sexually dimorphic hummingbird. The male is green with a deep red throat patch, a coppery back and rump, and a reddish tail; the female is green above and cinnamon below. Both sexes share a white post-ocular spot and a straight black bill. Nesting season from November to March. Nest-building, incubation and nestling rearing is solely by the female. The nest is cup-shaped, built of plant fiber and encrusted with lichen and moss; placed on a thin horizontal branch, 3-10 m above the ground. The clutch is 2 eggs. The young fledge after ca. 20 days. Brazilian Ruby feeds on nectar from a variety of native and introduced flowers, e.g., Fuchsia, Dombeya, and Helicteris spp., and small spiders and insects. It is fiercely territorial and chases other hummingbirds, and even large insects, from its food sources.

 

		D43983 Brazilian Ruby (Clytolaema rubricauda); male Bacchus Private Reserve, Macaé de Cima Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D35499 Brazilian Ruby (Clytolaema rubricauda); male Itatiaia National Park Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D35490 Brazilian Ruby (Clytolaema rubricauda); male Itatiaia National Park Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D43982 Brazilian Ruby (Clytolaema rubricauda); male Bacchus Private Reserve, Macaé de Cima Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D35488 Brazilian Ruby (Clytolaema rubricauda); male Itatiaia National Park Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D43981 Brazilian Ruby (Clytolaema rubricauda); male Bacchus Private Reserve, Macaé de Cima Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D35500 Brazilian Ruby (Clytolaema rubricauda); male Itatiaia National Park Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D35487 Brazilian Ruby (Clytolaema rubricauda); male Itatiaia National Park Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D35498 Brazilian Ruby (Clytolaema rubricauda); male Itatiaia National Park Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
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