The Brazilian ruby (Clytolaema rubricauda ) is a species of hummingbird in the "brilliants", tribe Heliantheini in subfamily Lesbiinae. It is endemic to Brazil.
The Brazilian ruby is 10.8 to 11.3 cm (4.3 to 4.4 in) long. Males weigh 7 to 9.2 g (0.25 to 0.32 oz) and females 5.9 to 7.1 g (0.21 to 0.25 oz). Both sexes have a medium length black bill and a white spot behind the eye. Adult males have an iridescent emerald green forehead and crown, a green nape, and a golden bronze back and rump. The chin is blackish, the gorget shining ruby red, the breast iridescent emerald green, and the belly dark gray with green speckles. The central tail feathers are golden bronze and the rest rufous with bronze edges. Adult females have a grass green crown and back and a cinnamon rump. Their underparts are entirely cinnamon. Their tail is like the male's. Juveniles are like females with the addition of buff fringes on the head feathers. Melanistic morph individuals are frequent.
The Brazilian ruby is found in eastern and southeastern Brazil from Bahia south to Rio Grande do Sul. It inhabits the interior of forest, scrublands, parks, and banana plantations, and is frequently seen at feeders. In elevation it is most numerous below 500 m (1,600 ft) but ranges as high as 1,500 m (4,900 ft).
The Brazilian ruby is mostly sedentary but locally makes some seasonal elevational movements.
The Brazilian ruby feeds on nectar from a wide variety of flowering plants and trees, both native and introduced. Males often defend feeding territories and females sometimes do. They also capture small insects by hawking from a perch.
The Brazilian ruby's breeding season spans from November to March. It makes a cup nest of soft plant material with lichen on the outside and places it on a horizontal branch, typically 3 to 10 m (10 to 30 ft) above the ground. The female incubates the clutch of two eggs for 15 to 16 days; fledging occurs about 25 days after hatch.
The IUCN has assessed the Brazilian ruby as being of Least Concern. Though it has a large range, its population size and trend are unknown. No immediate threats have been identified. It occurs in several protected areas, and is "ommon throughout range...and readily accepts man-made habitats like tree-filled gardens, parks and plantations."
