Tourmaline Sunangel
Heliangelus exortis
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<birdfyi-bird slug="heliangelus-exortis"></birdfyi-bird>About
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) found in Andean cloud forests from Colombia to Peru at 1,500-3,000 m. Males have a glittering multi-colored throat flashing green, orange, and purple like a tourmaline gemstone. Nectarivore of montane forest edges and Ericaceae-rich habitats.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 12.2 cm | 4.8 in |
| Weight | 5.3 g | 0.19 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Coppery Metaltail: shining coppery-green above; white underparts with cinnamon flanks; glittering violet gorget; females spotted throat
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Found in cloud forests of Colombia and western Venezuela at 1,800–3,200 m. Fairly common in its limited range.
Diet & Feeding
Nectarivore visiting narrow tubular blooms of cloud-forest shrubs. Supplements diet with small spiders caught near resting sites.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Clutch Size
2
Sound
Song
Melodic, two-note ascending call; pure first tone rising to brighter second note, given repeatedly with clear projection.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Trochilidae (Hummingbirds) |
| Genus | Heliangelus |
| Species | Heliangelus exortis |
Distribution
Tourmaline Sunangel has been recorded in 3 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Tourmaline Sunangel eat?
Where does the Tourmaline Sunangel live?
Is the Tourmaline Sunangel endangered?
What does the Tourmaline Sunangel sound like?
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What order and family does the Tourmaline Sunangel belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Trochilidae family