Gould's Brilliant
Heliodoxa aurescens
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<birdfyi-bird slug="heliodoxa-aurescens"></birdfyi-bird>About
A medium-sized hummingbird (12-13 cm) found in humid lowland forests from eastern Colombia through the Guianas to Bolivia and Brazil. Green plumage with iridescent golden-green breast. Nectarivore of Amazonian forest canopy and edges. Named after John Gould.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 12.2 cm | 4.8 in |
| Weight | 5.975 g | 0.21 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Black-backed Thornbill (alt): tiny; males with brilliant violet gorget; metallic green above; white flanks; females plain green; spots
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Found in Amazonian lowland forest from Colombia and Venezuela south through Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia to Brazil. 0–1,000 m.
Diet & Feeding
Nectarivore of Ecuadorian and Peruvian cloud forest; aggressively defends Ericaceae patches. Takes small insects for protein.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Clutch Size
2
Sound
Song
Soft, pure whistle with tremulous quality; gentle wavering note given quietly from shaded perch in dense thicket.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Trochilidae (Hummingbirds) |
| Genus | Heliodoxa |
| Species | Heliodoxa aurescens |
Distribution
Gould's Brilliant has been recorded in 4 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Gould's Brilliant eat?
Where does the Gould's Brilliant live?
Is the Gould's Brilliant endangered?
What does the Gould's Brilliant sound like?
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What order and family does the Gould's Brilliant belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Trochilidae family