Image via Macaulay Library
Purple-throated Sunangel
- Scientific name
- Heliangelus viola
- Family
- Trochilidae
- Conservation status
- Least concern
- Habitat
- Forest mixed
- Wing shape
- Pointed
- Tail shape
- Notched
Where it came from
The Purple-throated Sunangel was formally described by John Gould in 1853, emerging from the mid-nineteenth-century period of intense ornithological exploration in the Andes. As a member of the Heliangelus genus, it was classified during an era when European naturalists were cataloging the diverse biodiversity of South America, often relying on specimens collected by field explorers to populate museum archives and guide scientific taxonomy.
The bird is characterized by its iridescent plumage and specialized morphology, including its distinct pointed wings and notched tail, which facilitate rapid, hovering flight in high-altitude Andean cloud forests. John Gould, a prolific illustrator and ornithologist, was instrumental in documenting these species, focusing his work on capturing the precise structural details and brilliant colorations that define the Sunangel group, ensuring their preservation in the scientific record.
Generated by Pi, the collecto.rs collecting companion
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Purple-throated Sunangel
Purple-throated Sunangel is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Purple-throated Sunangel on collecto.rs?
Purple-throated Sunangel doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Purple-throated Sunangel?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Purple-throated Sunangel catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Purple-throated Sunangel is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
