Merida Sunangel
Heliangelus spencei
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<birdfyi-bird slug="heliangelus-spencei"></birdfyi-bird>About
A small hummingbird (10-11 cm) endemic to the Andes of western Venezuela (Mérida) at 2,400-3,500 m. Males have a glittering purple throat. Green plumage. Nectarivore of páramo and cloud forest edges. A range-restricted Venezuelan endemic.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 11.7 cm | 4.6 in |
| Weight | 5.0 g | 0.18 oz |
Identification
Plumage
Viridian Metaltail: brilliant metallic green above; glittering violet-blue gorget; white postocular stripe; females green with spotted below
Habitat & Range
Geographic Range
Endemic to the Mérida Andes of Venezuela in cloud forest and páramo edge. 2,200–3,400 m elevation.
Diet & Feeding
Nectarivore defending territories around productive Ericaceae patches. Supplements with tiny insects and spiders from foliage.
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: CP.
Clutch Size
2
Sound
Song
Rough, buzzy trill with scratchy edge; coarse sustained notes with raw texture carrying across dense tropical scrub.
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars & Swifts) |
| Family | Trochilidae (Hummingbirds) |
| Genus | Heliangelus |
| Species | Heliangelus spencei |
Distribution
Merida Sunangel has been recorded in 1 countries.
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External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Merida Sunangel eat?
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Similar Birds
Other species in the Trochilidae family