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Tourmaline Sunangel

Heliangelus exortis

Least Concern
Wingspan
12.2 cm
Weight
5.3 g
Family
Trochilidae
Order
Caprimulgiformes

The Tourmaline Sunangel (Heliangelus exortis) is a bird species in the family Trochilidae (hummingbirds), within the order Caprimulgiformes (nightjars & swifts). Recorded measurements include a wingspan of 12.2 cm and a weight of 5.3 g. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Least Concern.

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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

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

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

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.

Present Not recorded

countries highlighted

External Databases

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Tourmaline Sunangel eat?
Nectarivore visiting narrow tubular blooms of cloud-forest shrubs. Supplements diet with small spiders caught near resting sites.
Where does the Tourmaline Sunangel live?
Found in cloud forests of Colombia and western Venezuela at 1,800–3,200 m. Fairly common in its limited range.
Is the Tourmaline Sunangel endangered?
The Tourmaline Sunangel has a conservation status of Least Concern.
What does the Tourmaline Sunangel sound like?
Melodic, two-note ascending call; pure first tone rising to brighter second note, given repeatedly with clear projection.
How big is the Tourmaline Sunangel?
The Tourmaline Sunangel has a wingspan of 12.2 cm, weight of 5.3 g.
What order and family does the Tourmaline Sunangel belong to?
The Tourmaline Sunangel (Heliangelus exortis) belongs to the order Caprimulgiformes and the family Trochilidae.

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