Heliangelus mavors
The Orange-throated Sunangel, *Heliangelus mavors*, is a stunning medium-sized hummingbird, measuring approximately 10-11 cm (4-4.3 inches) in length and weighing 4-6 grams. It is characterized by its brilliant, fiery orange-red throat patch (gorget) in males, contrasting sharply with its iridescent dark green body and a deeply forked, dark blue-black tail. A distinctive white post-ocular spot helps differentiate it from similar species. Females possess a smaller, duller, or speckled gorget, ...
This species thrives in high-elevation humid montane and cloud forests, favoring forest edges, bushy slopes, and clearings, typically found between 2,000 and 3,000 meters (6,500-9,800 feet) above sea level.
Their diet consists primarily of nectar gathered from a variety of flowering plants, supplemented by small insects and spiders captured via hawking or gleaning.
Orange-throated Sunangels are primarily diurnal, actively foraging throughout the day, often perching conspicuously on exposed branches between feeding bouts. They exhibit a 'trapline' foraging strategy, visiting a regular circuit of flowers for nectar, but also supplement their diet by hawking s...
The Orange-throated Sunangel is a resident species endemic to the northern Andes of South America, primarily distributed across Colombia and Venezuela. In Colombia, it is found in the eastern Andes, extending from Cundinamarca north through Boyacá, Santander, and Norte de Santander. Its range con...
Least Concern
- The name 'Sunangel' comes from the genus *Heliangelus*, meaning 'sun angel,' referring to the iridescent, sun-catching gorgets of these hummingbirds. - Despite their small size, they are adept at high-altitude living, regularly navigating thin air in the Andean cloud forests. - Male Orange-thro...