Canonical URL: https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/royal-sunangel/ Species photography guide # Royal Sunangel Photography Holidays *Heliangelus regalis* Explore our Royal Sunangel photography holidays in [Peru](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/south-america/peru/), shaped around patient, repeatable field sessions with this species during the best seasonal conditions.Our small-group photography holidays prioritise time in the field, light, behaviour, positioning & repeatable photographic opportunities rather than rushed wildlife viewing. [View trips](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/royal-sunangel/#nl-species-trips)[Where](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/royal-sunangel/#nl-species-where)[Field notes](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/royal-sunangel/#nl-species-field-notes)[Related species](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/royal-sunangel/#nl-species-related) ![Royal Sunangel photography holiday](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/A-Wire-crested-Thorntail-photographed-in-Peru-by-our-co-leader-Steve-Sanchez-1024x715.jpg) ## At a glance Trips1 associated holiday Where[Peru](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/south-america/peru/) Led by[David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) Species profile ## About this species The Royal Sunangel is a strikingly beautiful hummingbird found in the cloud forests of northern Peru & southern Ecuador. The male displays a vivid deep blue plumage with an iridescent violet-blue throat that shimmers brilliantly in direct light. It is considered a rare & vulnerable species due to its restricted range & ongoing habitat loss. **Habitat** The Royal Sunangel inhabits humid montane cloud forests & forest edges at elevations typically ranging from 1800 to 2600 metres in the eastern Andean slopes of northern Peru & southern Ecuador. [Species background](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_sunangel) Where to photograph ## Where our trips feature this species You can photograph Royal Sunangel with us in [Peru](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/south-america/peru/). These departures are part of our [South America](https://natureslens.co.uk/discover/south-america/) programme. In the field, [David Miles](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) helps guests make the most of these encounters. Field notes ## Photography notes **Best time** Early morning hours between 7am & 10am offer the best light & highest activity levels. The dry season between June & September generally provides clearer skies & more accessible trails in the Andean cloud forest habitat. **Approach** Position yourself near flowering plants such as bromeliads & orchids where the species regularly feeds, as this allows for predictable & close-range shots. Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/1600s to freeze the rapid wingbeats & capture the iridescent plumage at its most vibrant in bright natural light. A telephoto lens in the 400-600mm range combined with a sturdy tripod or monopod will help you achieve sharp, detailed images in the often dim cloud forest environment. Connected wildlife ## Often seen on the same trips On the trips associated with this species, photographers may also encounter: [Amethyst Woodstar](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/amethyst-woodstar/)[Andean Cock-of-the-Rock](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/andean-cock-of-the-rock/)[Black-throated Mango](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/black-throated-mango/)[Blue-Necked Tanager](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/blue-necked-tanager/)[Chestnut-breasted Coronet](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/chestnut-breasted-coronet/)[Collared Inca](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/collared-inca/)[Crested Quetzal](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/crested-quetzal/)[Long-tailed Sylph](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/long-tailed-sylph/)[Marvelous Spatuletail](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/marvelous-spatuletail/)[Rufous-crested Coquette](https://natureslens.co.uk/photograph/rufous-crested-coquette/) Available holidays ## Trips featuring Royal Sunangel The holidays below are pulled from the same species relationship, so the guide stays tied to live departures rather than becoming a static article. #### Guide connection David Miles leads trips where guests have the chance to photograph Royal Sunangel in the field. [Meet David](https://natureslens.co.uk/about/david/) ![Peru’s Ultimate Hummingbirds](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/A-Wire-crested-Thorntail-photographed-in-Peru-by-our-co-leader-Steve-Sanchez-1024x715.jpg) #### Related holiday Peru’s Ultimate Hummingbirds gives guests time in Peru where Royal Sunangel can be part of the day's wildlife encounters. [View trip](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/perus-ultimate-hummingbirds/) Route Destination Signature Destination The photography holidays listed below operate in regions & habitats where the Royal Sunangel is regularly encountered. As with all wildlife photography, sightings can never be guaranteed, but our itineraries are designed around seasonal behaviour, suitable habitat, & photographic opportunity, giving you the best possible chance of meaningful encounters in the field. Our small-group approach allows time in the field to adapt to conditions, behaviour, & photographic opportunities as they unfold. You can photograph the Royal Sunangel in Peru. During our photography holidays, the Royal Sunangel is often photographed alongside Amethyst Woodstar, Andean Cock-of-the-Rock, Black-throated Mango, Blue-Necked Tanager, Chestnut-breasted Coronet, & Collared Inca. Seasonal presence & photographic opportunity vary by location & time of year. Single occupancy Maximum 5 guests Experienced guidance Guided by David - [![Join Us For The Peru’s Ultimate Hummingbirds Photography Tour](https://natureslens.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/A-Wire-crested-Thorntail-photographed-in-Peru-by-our-co-leader-Steve-Sanchez-1024x715.jpg)](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/perus-ultimate-hummingbirds/) Launch Offer ### 9th - 23rd Jan 2028 - Peru’s Ultimate Hummingbirds **Location:** Peru Travel to Peru with us for a wildlife photography holiday, during January 2028, focused on hummingbirds photographed with both natural & controlled setups. **14 nights** w. **Single occupancy** for **Was: £6999 Now: £6749** Guided By **David Miles** [View Peru’s Ultimate Hummingbirds](https://natureslens.co.uk/photography-holiday/perus-ultimate-hummingbirds/) -