October 1, 2025Open Access

First record of Heliangelus regalis Fitzpatrick, Willard Terborgh, 1979, Royal Sunangel (Apodiformes, Trochilidae), in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador

CPCarlos A. Proaño ACAini C. ChambaUniversidad Nacional de Loja DGDavid R. GoucherInstituto Ecuatoriano de Enfermedades Digestivas

Key Points

This observation marks the first record of heliangelus regalis in the Ecuadorian Andes, expanding its known range.
The female hummingbird fed on satyria leucostoma for 58 days, showcasing its adaptability in a human-modified environment.
The occurrence was documented at Jungle Dave's Farm, 59 km northwest of the bird's previously known habitats.
This find contributes to understanding the natural history and behavior of this species in altered ecosystems.

Abstract

Heliangelus regalis Fitzpatrick, Willard s Farm in the Ecuadorian Andes, 59 km northwest of its previously known range. The hummingbird was observed actively feeding on Satyria leucostoma (a species of Ericaceae) in a patch of scrubland within a cattle pasture for 58 days and displayed nonaggressive behavior towards other birds. This find provides new information on ecological flexibility of H. regalis in a humanmodified landscape and provides novel insights into the behavior and natural history of this species.

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