Photo: John Gould. / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Merida Sunangel
Heliangelus spencei
Merida Sunangel (Heliangelus spencei) — Hummingbirds of South America.
The Merida Sunangel (Heliangelus spencei) is a member of the Trochilidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 5 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Apodiformes
- Family Trochilidae Hummingbirds
- Genus Heliangelus
- Species spencei
Quick facts
- Weight
- 5 g
- Diet
- Nectar-feeders
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Order
- Apodiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Endangered
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Merida Sunangel is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Merida Sunangel is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Merida Sunangel (Heliangelus spencei) belongs to the Trochilidae family of the order Apodiformes. It is found across South America. Its distribution covers SA Mérida (nw Venezuela).
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 5 g, with a wing length of about 5.8 cm and a tail of around 3.7 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 5,775 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Merida Sunangel?
The Merida Sunangel is a very small bird that weighs around 5 g.
Where does the Merida Sunangel live?
The Merida Sunangel is found across South America with a range covering SA Mérida (nw Venezuela), where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Merida Sunangel belong to?
The Merida Sunangel (Heliangelus spencei) belongs to the Trochilidae family, in the order Apodiformes.
What does the Merida Sunangel eat?
The Merida Sunangel is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Merida Sunangel migrate?
The Merida Sunangel is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Merida Sunangel endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Merida Sunangel's range?
The Merida Sunangel has a mapped global range of about 5,775 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
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Guides for this bird
Best Hummingbird Feeders
How to choose a hummingbird feeder — the two main styles compared, the right sugar-water mix, and how to keep it clean so the birds stay safe. A decision framework with the hummingbird species in the Birbs encyclopedia.
Meet the Trochilidae
A field guide to the Trochilidae family — 366 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.