The gorgeted sunangel (Heliangelus strophianus) is a stunning hummingbird found in the Andes Mountains of South America. With its flashy purple throat, emerald green body, and remarkably long tail feathers, this bird lives up to its evocative name.
Range and Habitat
The gorgeted sunangel has a range along the Andes Mountains from Venezuela to Bolivia. Its preferred habitat is forest edges and clearings at elevations between 7,000-12,500 ft. Here it dwells among scattered trees, shrubs, and patches of flowers.
Description
Most striking on the gorgeted sunangel is its brilliant metallic gorget – the iridescent bib-like plumage on its throat. The male’s gorget flashes a dazzling royal purple or magenta, with hints of gold and green. When not displayed, the gorget is concealed by dull gray neck feathers. The rest of the body is primarily emerald green above and grayish below, with greenish wings and tail. The outer tail feathers are especially elongate, measuring up to 5 inches long and giving the bird a unique shape. Females are similar but less vibrantly colored, with a glittery green rather than purple gorget. At about 4 inches long and weighing roughly 5 grams, these petite birds live up to the “hummingbird” name.
Feeding
Like all hummingbirds, the gorgeted sunangel feeds on flower nectar and tiny insects. Its long bill and extendable tongue are perfectly adapted for probing blooms and lapping up nectar. Preferred flowers include red passionflowers and tree tobacco, though any nectar-bearing flowers will do. While feeding the bird hovers in place, beating its wings up to 70 times per second! This rapid wingbeat powers the bird’s aerial abilities and extreme energy needs. The gorgeted sunangel supplements its sugary diet by catching small insects like gnats and flies in midair or gleaning them from leaves and branches.
Unique Adaptations
Several traits make the gorgeted sunangel specially adapted to its high-altitude home. Its dense plumage provides insulation from cold Andean nights. Oxygen is scarcer at altitude, but the bird’s rapid breathing and high red blood cell count enable sufficient oxygen intake. Most remarkably, its blood has the special ability to increase hemoglobin oxygen saturation when acclimatizing to higher elevations. This allows the hummingbird to thrive across a wide range of altitudes.
Breeding
During the breeding season, males perform elaborate courtship displays to attract females. They fly up to 100 feet in the air then dive down in a flash of color, often flying loops and circles or hovering in place. If a female perches nearby, the male may fan his tail and spread his gorget while oriented towards her. Once paired, the female constructs a tiny lichen-covered nest on a low branch or tree trunk. She lays two pea-sized eggs which incubate for about 16-19 days. The chicks are born blind, naked, and helpless but develop swiftly, able to fly in just over three weeks. The female cares for the chicks alone.
Status and Threats
Abundant across most of its range, the gorgeted sunangel is evaluated as a species of least concern by the IUCN. However local populations may be threatened by habitat loss from logging and agriculture. Climate change poses a future risk, as upward shifts in the bird’s high elevation habitat could potentially lead to range contraction. On a positive note, the popularity of birdwatching and ecotourism in the Andes seems to be increasing protection for reserves in the area. With suitably intact habitat, this dazzling species should continue lighting up the mountains with its radiance.
The gorgeted sunangel is a true sparkling gem of the Andes. With its iridescent colors, aerial talents, and high elevation home, this hummingbird has captivated the imagination of ornithologists and bird lovers alike. Conserving its threatened forest habitat will give birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts the chance to see this unique bird flash its colors for generations to come.