Observations on the Natural History of the Royal Sunangel (Heliangelus regalis) in the Nangaritza Valley, Ecuador

The Royal Sunangel (Heliangelus regalis) is endemic to sandstone ridges in southeast Ecuador and northeast Peru. This hummingbird is currently considered endangered, although little has been published on its natural history, distribution, and conservation. We found H. regalis in three habitat types,...

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Published inThe Wilson journal of ornithology Vol. 123; no. 1; pp. 85 - 92
Main Authors Freile, Juan F., Piedrahita, Paolo, Buitrón-Jurado, Galo, Rodríguez, Carlos A., Jadán, Oswaldo, Bonaccorso, Elisa
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Fort Collins The Wilson Ornithological Society 01.03.2011
Wilson Ornithological Society
Subjects
Biodiversity
Biodiversity conservation
Birds
Endangered & extinct species
Females
Field study
Forest conservation
Forest habitats
Habitat conservation
Habitats
Hummingbirds
Major s
Males
Montane forests
Natural history
Protection and preservation
Sandstones
Shrublands
Social aspects
Stone
Vegetation
Ecuador
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Summary:The Royal Sunangel (Heliangelus regalis) is endemic to sandstone ridges in southeast Ecuador and northeast Peru. This hummingbird is currently considered endangered, although little has been published on its natural history, distribution, and conservation. We found H. regalis in three habitat types, but abundance was higher in stunted shrubland, at ridgetops. It was observed to feed on seven plant species, mostly following regular feeding routes, between 0 and 2.5 m above ground. We describe six different vocalizations, as well as two flight displays, and observations on social interactions. We also discuss its current conservation status in Ecuador, where we estimate that ∼2,500 individuals might persist.
ISSN:1559-4491
1938-5447
DOI:10.1676/10-054.1