Gould's Jewelfront
Gould’s Jewelfront (Heliodoxa aurescens)
Name Origin:
The genus Heliodoxa derives from Greek helios (“sun”) and doxa (“glory”), meaning “sun-glory,” referring to the group’s radiant metallic plumage. The species epithet aurescens comes from Latin aurum (“gold”) and -escens (“becoming” or “shining”), describing the burnished golden-orange tones of its breast.
Quick Facts
🪶 Length: 10–11.5 cm (3.9–4.5 in)
⚖️ Weight: 6.0–6.5 g (0.21–0.23 oz)
🌎 Range: Western Amazon Basin of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and western Brazil
🧭 Elevation: 200–1,200 m (660–3,900 ft)
🌸 Diet: Nectar and small arthropods
🏡 Habitat: Humid lowland and foothill rainforest, forest edge, and clearings
🧬 Clade: Heliantheini “Brilliants” (Andean and Amazonian montane hummingbirds)
📊 Status: Least Concern (IUCN 2024)
Subspecies & Distribution
Monotypic species — no recognized subspecies.
Distribution: Found across the western Amazon Basin, from southeastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, and northeastern Peru south through northern Bolivia, and east into western Brazil (Acre and Amazonas). It inhabits humid forest and foothill rainforest, especially along rivers and at forest edges, typically below 1,200 meters.
Species Overview
The Gould’s Jewelfront is a radiant Amazonian hummingbird celebrated for its vibrant mix of emerald, copper, and violet tones. Males display a distinctive golden-orange breast patch bordered by blue-green iridescence — one of the most dazzling color combinations among Neotropical birds. Despite its brilliance, it is often quiet and solitary, frequenting shaded forest understories where its iridescence flashes in brief bursts of sunlight.
Male Description:
The male has glittering green upperparts, a brilliant orange-gold breast patch, and a violet-blue band across the upper chest. The belly is metallic green, and the tail is dark with a bronze sheen. The bill is black and slightly decurved.
Female Description:
The female resembles the male but is duller overall, with a reduced orange breast patch and less pronounced violet band. Her underparts are a mix of green and grayish tones.
Habitat & Behavior:
Occurs in lowland and foothill rainforests, favoring edges, clearings, and light gaps where flowers are abundant. Common nectar sources include Heliconia, Inga, and Palicourea. The Gould’s Jewelfront typically forages alone, hovering methodically and occasionally perching to rest. It is a quiet species but may emit short, buzzy notes during aggressive encounters or while feeding.
Conservation Note:
The Gould’s Jewelfront is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and remains widespread and locally common throughout the western Amazon. Its adaptability to lightly disturbed forest edges supports stable populations, though ongoing deforestation and habitat degradation across Amazonia remain threats. It occurs in numerous protected areas, including Yasuní National Park (Ecuador), Manu National Park (Peru), and Noel Kempff Mercado National Park (Bolivia). Preserving Amazonian foothill and riparian forest corridors is vital for maintaining this stunning Heliantheini jewel.
