Royal sunangel  (Heliangelus regalis)

Biology

The royal sunangel feeds on nectar and small insects, but has shown a distinct preference for the nectar from one low shrub, Brachyotum quinquenerve. The abundant flowers have deep purple petals which hang down forming a tube, forcing the hummingbird to hover directly underneath, or perch on a stem below the flower and point its bill straight up to draw up the nectar with its long tongue (4) (5). The royal sunangel is a territorial bird that defends an area of about 50 meters. When not foraging, males often return to the same perch to sit quietly within the territory, and male on male chases are common, accompanied with high-pitched notes (5). Breeding in the royal sunangel is thought to occur between July and September, when a clutch of two eggs is incubated by the female (2).

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