This bird, with its iridescent feathers and striking movements, looks as though it belongs in a fairytale. Its dazzling appearance is truly mesmerizing.
A Vibrant Nectar Seeker
The Splendid Sunbird (Cinnyris coccinigaster), formerly classified under the genus Nectarinia, is a species of sunbird. These tiny Old World passerines primarily feed on nectar but also consume insects, especially when raising their young. They possess rapid, direct flight patterns supported by their short wings. While they can hover momentarily like hummingbirds, they typically prefer to perch while feeding.
Native to West and Central Africa, the Splendid Sunbird breeds in tropical regions. Its nest, an oval structure suspended from tree branches, shelters one or two eggs. This species migrates seasonally within its range.Distinctive Features and Behavior
Measuring approximately 15 cm in length, these birds have slender, down-curved bills and brush-tipped, tubular tongues—both adaptations for nectar feeding. The adult male is predominantly glossy purple, boasting a dark green back, a shimmering wing bar, and a striking crimson breast patch. In contrast, the female sports greenish-brown upperparts and a yellowish underside.
This species thrives in wet savannahs and woodlands, often seen around Oil Palms (Elaeis guineensis). These palms produce sap collected for palm wine, attracting the sunbirds to the sweet liquid.Identification and Distribution
With a size range of 13–14 cm (5–5.5 inches), the Splendid Sunbird is a medium-large sunbird characterized by its relatively long, decurved bill. The adult male displays a metallic dark green mantle, back, and inner wings, accompanied by a glossy dark blue rump. Its chin and throat shimmer with metallic violet hues that transition into a vivid scarlet breast. Females, on the other hand, exhibit a dark grey upper body, pale grey throat, and a belly washed with yellow streaked in grey. Young birds resemble females but develop dark patches around the throat as they mature. Young males progressively gain their metallic colors, starting from the chin and inner wings.
Habitat and Range
The Splendid Sunbird inhabits West and Central tropical Africa, spanning from Senegal and Sierra Leone to southern Nigeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and southwestern South Sudan. During non-breeding seasons, they also visit northeastern Gabon. These breathtaking birds not only enhance the beauty of their habitats but also play an essential role in pollination, ensuring the survival of many plant species. Observing their iridescent colors gleaming under the sun is a spectacle that reminds us of nature’s endless wonders.
A Vibrant Nectar SeekerThe Splendid Sunbird (Cinnyris coccinigaster), formerly classified under the genus Nectarinia, is a species of sunbird. These tiny Old World passerines primarily feed on nectar but also consume insects, especially when raising their young. They possess rapid, direct flight patterns supported by their short wings. While they can hover momentarily like hummingbirds, they typically prefer to perch while feeding.
Native to West and Central Africa, the Splendid Sunbird breeds in tropical regions. Its nest, an oval structure suspended from tree branches, shelters one or two eggs. This species migrates seasonally within its range.Distinctive Features and Behavior
Measuring approximately 15 cm in length, these birds have slender, down-curved bills and brush-tipped, tubular tongues—both adaptations for nectar feeding. The adult male is predominantly glossy purple, boasting a dark green back, a shimmering wing bar, and a striking crimson breast patch. In contrast, the female sports greenish-brown upperparts and a yellowish underside.
This species thrives in wet savannahs and woodlands, often seen around Oil Palms (Elaeis guineensis). These palms produce sap collected for palm wine, attracting the sunbirds to the sweet liquid.Identification and Distribution
With a size range of 13–14 cm (5–5.5 inches), the Splendid Sunbird is a medium-large sunbird characterized by its relatively long, decurved bill. The adult male displays a metallic dark green mantle, back, and inner wings, accompanied by a glossy dark blue rump. Its chin and throat shimmer with metallic violet hues that transition into a vivid scarlet breast. Females, on the other hand, exhibit a dark grey upper body, pale grey throat, and a belly washed with yellow streaked in grey. Young birds resemble females but develop dark patches around the throat as they mature. Young males progressively gain their metallic colors, starting from the chin and inner wings.
Habitat and RangeThe Splendid Sunbird inhabits West and Central tropical Africa, spanning from Senegal and Sierra Leone to southern Nigeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and southwestern South Sudan. During non-breeding seasons, they also visit northeastern Gabon. These breathtaking birds not only enhance the beauty of their habitats but also play an essential role in pollination, ensuring the survival of many plant species. Observing their iridescent colors gleaming under the sun is a spectacle that reminds us of nature’s endless wonders.
