Royal sunangel (Heliangelus regalis)

Fundo Alto Nieva, San Martín, Peru. Jan 18, 2021

comments (15)

Thibaud Aronson

Lion

How's that for a name?!
It's definitely not the most ornate of hummingbirds, but that blue is indeed... regal.
Yet another Alto Nieva specialty, this lovely bird, very different from the other members of the genus, is only found on a few ridgetops in northern Peru and southern Ecuador. Posted 4 years ago

Ernst

Lion

I am not sure if the bird is amazing or your brilliant work. Posted 4 years ago
1. Thibaud Aronson
  
  Lion
  
  Haha thanks Ernst! I'm pretty sure the bird did all the work :) Posted 4 years ago

Christine Young

Lion

A very fitting name for such a beauty! Posted 4 years ago
1. Thibaud Aronson
  
  Lion
  
  Right?! Posted 4 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

I'm definitely running out of original compliments to make. Posted 4 years ago
1. Thibaud Aronson
  
  Lion
  
  Ahahahaha thanks Ferdy! Posted 4 years ago

NattyOne

Lion

Outstanding, that Lapis blue!! Well done. Posted 4 years ago
1. Thibaud Aronson
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks! Posted 4 years ago

Barry

Lion

I love the name sunangel, so many hummingbird names are rather ho-hum, but this one is perfect. Posted 4 years ago
1. Thibaud Aronson
  
  Lion
  
  Sure, a bunch of them have dull, descriptive names (not surprising considering the sheer number of species). But I always think of hummers as the family with the most extravagant names! Ruby Topaz, Sapphire-spangled Emerald, Hyacinth Visorbearer, Festive Coquette, etc! Posted 4 years ago
2. 1. Barry
    
    Lion
    
    Ok fair enough - I have always loved Coquette, for example. Still, in the US there are Ruby-throated, Anna's, and Broadbill (as if you can see it in the field) - pretty ho-hum if you ask me. Posted 4 years ago
  2. 1. Thibaud Aronson
      
      Lion
      
      That's true. I'd imagine that the 19th century naturalists named the US species first, sticking to their traditional, dull, descriptive naming conventions. And then they got to see the South American species, and they just lost their damn minds! Posted 4 years ago
    2. 1. Barry
        
        Lion
        
        A few minutes seeing all of those amazing hummingbirds in South America is enough to make anyone lose their mind! Posted 4 years ago
      2. Thibaud Aronson
        
        Lion
        
        True!! Posted 4 years ago

The Royal sunangel

The royal sunangel is a species of hummingbird. It is endemic to subtropical elfin forests and shrubs in the Andes of northern Peru and adjacent south-eastern Ecuador. It is endangered due to habitat loss. It is strongly sexually dichromatic, and while females resemble other female sunangels, males are unique with their iridescent dark blue plumage.

Info 2 0

Similar species: Swifts And Hummingbirds

Species identified by Thibaud Aronson