The orange-throated sunangel is a species of hummingbird in the "coquettes", tribe Lesbiini of subfamily Lesbiinae. It is found in Colombia and Venezuela.
Region
Northern Andes
Typical Environment
Occurs in montane forests and shrubby edges of the Andes in Colombia and western Venezuela. It favors cloud forest borders, elfin forest, and breaks in the canopy where flower density is high. The species also uses secondary growth, gardens, and roadside hedgerows when suitable nectar sources are present. In upper elevations it extends into páramo shrublands, especially where Ericaceae and other nectar plants are abundant.
Altitude Range
1800–3400 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small hummingbird of the Northern Andes is noted for the male’s vivid orange throat that flashes in good light against a crisp white chest band. It aggressively defends flowering shrubs and small territories, often chasing much larger hummingbirds. Like many high-Andean species, it frequents cloud forest edges and shrub-dominated páramo, where it follows seasonal blooms.
Temperament
territorial and assertive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile hovering and swift darts between flowers
Social Behavior
Usually solitary at feeding sites, where males defend small nectar territories vigorously. Courtship involves aerial chases and display flights. Nests are tiny cups of plant fibers and moss lined with soft material, placed on sheltered branches; the female alone incubates and cares for the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Calls are high, thin chips and rapid twitters delivered during foraging and territorial chases. Males add short, buzzy trills and squeaky notes from exposed perches when advertising territory.
Plumage
Glossy green upperparts with a bright, glittering orange throat patch and a contrasting clean white pectoral band; underparts otherwise green to bronzy with some rufous tones toward the belly and tail edges. Wings are dusky with metallic sheen, and the tail is slightly forked with bronzy-green and rufous hints.
Diet
Primarily consumes nectar from tubular flowers of shrubs and small trees, especially in Ericaceae and other high-Andean plant families. It supplements its diet with small arthropods captured by hawking from perches or gleaning from foliage. Insects provide essential proteins, particularly during breeding. It often returns repeatedly to rich nectar sources and may exclude other birds from them.
Preferred Environment
Feeds along forest edges, clearings, and shrubby páramo where flowering plants are concentrated. Also uses secondary growth, hedgerows, and flowering gardens near montane forests.
