Orange-throated sun nymph
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Orange-throated sun nymph ( Heliangelus mavors ) |
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| Heliangelus mavors | ||||||||||
| Gould , 1848 |
The orange-throated sun nymph ( Heliangelus mavors ) or sometimes just the orange-throated nymph is a species of bird in the hummingbird family (Trochilidae). The species has a large range that covers about 13,000 square kilometers in the South American countries Venezuela and Colombia . The IUCN assesses the population as Least Concern .
features
The orange-throated sun nymph reaches a body length of about 9.4 centimeters. The straight, black beak becomes about 15 millimeters long. The male's upper part is sparkling green. The crown of the head and the throat glow golden orange. The side of the head and the neck are black. There is a yellow-brown band below the cheeks and neck. Postocular (behind the eyes) the hummingbird has a rather inconspicuous white spot. The green breast stripe turns yellow-brown downwards. The pages are blotchy green. The tail is bronze green with pale speckles. The female looks similar to the male. The only difference is the yellow-brown neck with reddish-brown spots.
Habitat
The bird can usually be found on damp mountain forest edges. He likes to move in areas with scrub, slopes with bushes and stunted trees. It shows up at altitudes between 2000 and 3200 meters. The climatic zone in which the bird can be found ranges from subtropical to temperate zones. In Colombia the bird can be found near Páramo de Pachuelo and in Zumbador in the north of the Santander department to the Boyacá department . Furthermore, the species occurs in the south of the state of Lara and in Táchira in southwest Venezuela.
behavior
When the bird sits on the branch, it likes to raise its wings. It prefers to cling to plants to eat and spread its wings. He likes to peck insects out of the branches. Picking out insects can also be observed while hovering . The hummingbird is very territorial .
Subspecies
No subspecies of the orange-throated sun nymph are known at the moment. The species is therefore considered to be monotypical .
Etymology and history of research
John Gould described the species under its current name Heliangelus mavors . The type specimen was collected in the Cordilleras of Venezuela and Guyanas. "Heliangelus" is derived from the Greek words "hēlios ἥλιος " for "sun" and "angelos ἄγγελος " for "angel, messenger, messenger". The specific epithet »mavors« comes from Roman mythology and means » Mars , god of war «.
literature
- Steven Leon Hilty , William Leroy Brown : A guide to the birds of Colombia . Princeton University Press, Princeton 1986, ISBN 978-0-691-09250-8 ( online [accessed July 27, 2014]).
- James A. Jobling: Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names . Christopher Helm, London 2010, ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4 .
- John Gould: Drafts for a new arrangement of the Trochilidae . In: Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London . tape 16 , no. 180 , 1848, pp. 11–112 ( online [accessed July 13, 2014]).
Web links
- Heliangelus mavors inthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014.2. Listed by: BirdLife International, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
- BirdLife International: Species Factsheet - Orange-throated Sunangel ( Heliangelus mavors ) . Retrieved July 28, 2014.
- Videos, photos and sound recordings of Orange-throated Sunangel (Heliangelus mavors) in the Internet Bird Collection
- Orange-throated sun nymph ( Heliangelus mavors ) at Avibase; Retrieved July 28, 2014.
- Heliangelus mavors in the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). Retrieved July 28, 2014.
- xeno-canto: Sound recordings - Orange-throated Sunangel ( Heliangelus mavors )