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Tourmaline sunangel

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description Tourmaline sunangel Overview

The Tourmaline Sunangel, *Heliangelus exortis*, is an Andean hummingbird species found in the cloud forests of Colombia and Ecuador. Distinguished by its iridescent green plumage and distinctive tourmaline-colored markings on its throat, it’s one of the smallest hummingbird species globally. This extant bird is primarily studied by ornithologists and conservationists focused on Neotropical avian biodiversity and the unique adaptations within hummingbird populations.

help Tourmaline sunangel FAQ

Where can the Tourmaline sunangel be found in the wild?

Heliangelus exortis is a cloud-forest species native to Colombia and Ecuador along the Andean slopes. It is typically found between 1,500 and 3,000 meters of elevation in humid montane forest edges and shrubby clearings.

How does the Tourmaline sunangel differ from other sunangel species?

It is medium-sized within the Heliangelus genus and is recognizable by its iridescent green gorget with a violet-blue lower band, plus a distinctive buffy rump. Compared to similar species like the Flame-throated Sunangel of Peru, the Tourmaline has more subdued throat coloration.

Is the Tourmaline sunangel endangered?

It is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN thanks to its relatively wide range in Colombia and Ecuador. However, ongoing cloud-forest deforestation is a long-term threat to its montane habitat.

What is the scientific name of the Tourmaline sunangel, and who described it?

The species is Heliangelus exortis, formally described by British zoologist Louis Fraser in 1840. Fraser described it based on specimens collected during his work in what is now Ecuador.

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