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Photo: © Sarah M eBird S101769102 Macaulay Library ML 467934931
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Longuemare's Sunangel

Heliangelus clarisse
Angel de Clarisse
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Song

Longuemare’s Sunangel (Amethyst-throated Sunangel)

Appearance: The Longuemare's Sunangel is a small hummingbird, measuring about 9.4 cm in length. The male has a bright iridescent green plumage with a glittering gold throat patch, while the female is duller in color with a white belly.
Habitat: This species is found in montane cloud forests and shrublands at elevations between 2,000 and 3,300 m.
Behavior: Longuemare's Sunangels are known for their agile flight and their ability to hover in front of flowers while feeding on nectar.
Breeding: The breeding habits of the Longuemare's Sunangel are not well-documented, but it is believed that they build small cup-shaped nests made of plant fibers and spider silk.
Conservation status: The Longuemare's Sunangel is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN.
MALE
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Photo: © Sarah M eBird S101769102 Macaulay Library ML 467934931
FEMALE
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Photo: © Peter Hawrylyshyn eBird S62263436 Macaulay Library ML 192988481

Distribution

The Longuemare's Sunangel can be found in the Andes mountains, particularly in the departments of Santander, Boyacá, and Cundinamarca. It is commonly seen in cloud forests and high-altitude shrublands up to 3300 m.

Taxonomy

The Longuemare’s Sunangel  (Heliangelus clarisse)
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Aves (Birds)
  • Order: Caprimulgiformes
  • Family: Trochilidae
  • Genus: Heliangelus
  • Species: Heliangelus clarisse

Vocalization

The Longuemare's Sunangel's vocalizations consist of high-pitched chirps and trills, which are used for communication and attracting mates. The purpose of these vocalizations is to establish territory, warn off rivals, and court potential mates. The Longuemare's Sunangel uses its vocalizations as a form of social communication within its species.