Amethyst-throated Sunangel (Heliangelus amethysticollis)

Order: Apodiformes  | Family: Trochilidae | IUCN Status: Least Concern

amethyst-throated_sunangel
Age: Adult | Sex: Males | Loc. Cusco, Peru

amethyst-throated_sunangel
Age: Adult | Sex: Males | Loc. San Martin, Peru

amethyst-throated_sunangel
Age: Adult | Sex: Females | Loc. Southeast, Peru

amethyst-throated_sunangel
Age: Adult | Sex: Females | Loc. Southeast, Peru


Identification & Behavior: ~11 cm (4.3 in).  The Amethyst-throated Sunangel is shining green above with a post-ocular white spot and blue-green frontlet. The gorget is amethyst bordered below by a broad pectoral white area. The underparts are mostly green with a pale-creamy median area. The female is a dull version of the male with a rufous brown throat. The bill is black and straight. The similar female Royal Sunangel ranges at lower elevations.

Status: The Amethyst-throated Sunangel is the most common and widespread sunangel on the east slope of the Andes at elevations ranging between 1100-3700 m. It ranges at lower elevations on the eastern Andes north and west of the Marañon Valley. It also occurs in Co, Ec, and Bo.

Name in Spanish: Angel-del-Sol de Garganta Amatista.

Sub-species: Amethyst-throated Sunangel (Heliangelus amethysticollis laticlavius),  Salvin, 1891. Andes in S Ecuador and N Peru (to N Cajamarca).
(Heliangelus amethysticollis decolor), J. T. Zimmer, 1951. E slope in C Peru (S of R Marañón, to Junín).
(Heliangelus amethysticollis apurimacensis), Weller, 2009. E slope in S Peru (Ayacucho to Cuzco)
(Heliamgelus amethysticollis amethysticollis) (d”Orbigny and Lafresnaye) 1838. E slope of Andes in S Peru and NW Bolivia (to Cochabamba).

Meaning of Name: Heliangelus: Gr. Hēlios= sun, angelos= angel. amethysticollis: L. amethystus= amethyst and collis= -necked, throated.

See more of the Family Trochilidae   peru aves

Distribution Map
amethyst-throated sunangelVoice


References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum.  http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 08/01/2015.