Fawn-breasted Brilliant
Heliodoxa rubinoides
The Fawn-breasted Brilliant (Heliodoxa rubinoides) is a uncommon hummingbird found in 3 countries, weighing about 8 g. The fawn-breasted brilliant is a medium-sized species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae.
About the Fawn-breasted Brilliant
The fawn-breasted brilliant is a medium-sized species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is native to South America, where it occurs in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Other common names include lilac-throated brilliant in English and brillante pechigamuza, colibrí de vientre ocre, and diamante pechigamuza in Spanish.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The fawn-breasted brilliant is a medium-sized hummingbird, measuring 11 to 13 cm (4.3 to 5.1 in) in length and weighing approximately 7.2 to 10.2 g (0.25 to 0.36 oz). The bill is stout, fairly long (22–27 mm (0.87–1.06 in)), slightly decurved, and black. Adult males have shining bronzy-green upperparts, with coppery tones on the wing coverts and a slightly forked, coppery-green tail. The underparts are warm buffy-cinnamon, with irregular green spotting on the flanks and throat sides. A distinctive feature is the small, isolated pinkish to lilac gorget patch on the lower throat. Voice: The fawn-breasted brilliant produces two main vocalizations: a series of sharp, metallic "tchik" notes, often given in rapid succession as an alarm or territorial warning, and a common "swi-swi-swi-swu" call. Non-vocal communication includes the audible buzzing of wings during flight and displays, as well as tail fanning during aggressive or courtship interactions.
What the Fawn-breasted Brilliant sounds like
Where it lives
When to see it
The Fawn-breasted Brilliant can be seen all year round, with peak activity in February. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Watch the Fawn-breasted Brilliant on live cams
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Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Fawn-breasted Brilliant?
- The fawn-breasted brilliant is a medium-sized hummingbird, measuring 11 to 13 cm (4.3 to 5.1 in) in length and weighing approximately 7.2 to 10.2 g (0.25 to 0.36 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Fawn-breasted Brilliant?
- The Fawn-breasted Brilliant is a tiny sized bird weighing about 8 g.
- Where can you see a Fawn-breasted Brilliant?
- The Fawn-breasted Brilliant occurs in 3 countries, including Ecuador, Colombia and Peru.
- What does a Fawn-breasted Brilliant sound like?
- You can listen to a field recording of the Fawn-breasted Brilliant on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Fawn-breasted Brilliant?
- The Fawn-breasted Brilliant is most easily confused with the Empress Brilliant, the Green-crowned Brilliant and the Violet-fronted Brilliant.
- Is the Fawn-breasted Brilliant endangered?
- The Fawn-breasted Brilliant is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Fawn-breasted Brilliant for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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