Heliangelus spencei
EN

Heliangelus spencei

Local name: Mérida Sunangel

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A9rida_sunangel

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Mérida Sunangel faces severe habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and cattle ranching in Venezuela's Cordillera de Mérida. Climate change poses an additional threat by shifting suitable temperature and precipitation zones upslope, potentially eliminating habitat at higher elevations where the species cannot retreat further. Deforestation for coffee cultivation and human settlement development continues to fragment the remaining cloud forest patches essential for this hummingbird's survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Mérida Sunangel inhabits cloud forests and forest edges in the Cordillera de Mérida of Venezuela, typically at elevations between 1,600 and 2,800 meters. It prefers humid montane forests with dense understory vegetation and abundant flowering plants that provide nectar sources.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Mérida Sunangel classified as Endangered?
Mérida Sunangel is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. The Mérida Sunangel faces severe habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and cattle ranching in Venezuela's Cordillera de Mérida. Climate change poses an additional threat by shifting suitable temperature and precipitation zones upslope, potentially eliminating habitat at higher elevations where the species cannot retreat further. Deforestation for coffee cultivation and human settlement development continues to fragment the remaining cloud forest patches essential for this hummingbird's survival.
Where does Mérida Sunangel live?
Mérida Sunangel occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Mérida Sunangel?
The main threats to Mérida Sunangel are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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