Northern Peru on isolated Cordillera del Condor (Cajamarca) and eastern slope of Andes (San Martín).
Population
Estimated population is 2,500 - 9,999 (2010) and decreasing.
Status EN
Habitat destruction and degradation through clearance for cash-crops, particularly marijuana and coffee, is the main threat. Mining operations and road building are potential threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Royal Sunangel (Heliangelus regalis) [XC543124]
by Andrew Spencer from ECOAN Lodge, Abra Patricia, San Martin, Peru (call)
Royal Sunangel (Heliangelus regalis) [XC250926]
by Jerome Fischer from Zamora-Chinchipe: Filo de Chumbiriatza, tepui 4.5 km SW Las Orchideas, above \, Ecuador (call)
Subspecies
This recently discovered species is distinguished from all other members of the genus by its almost entirely dark blue plumage and its deeply forked tail. The female resembles those of several congeners, notably Orange-throated Sunangel (Heliangelus mavors). However, present species is apparently not closely related to any congener.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
johnsoni Graves, GR, Lane, O'Neill & Valqui, 2011 - Local in central Peru (Cordillera Azul, south-western Loreto).
regalis Fitzpatrick, Willard & Terborgh, 1979 - Northern Peru.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet