Southern Double-collared Sunbird
Cinnyris chalybeus
A small sunbird. The male has a pale gray belly and relatively narrow red breast band. The female is overall gray-brown. Pairs and small groups visit a broad variety of habitats. The species gives a characteristic short two-note “cher-cher” call and a rapid high-pitched song of up-and-down notes. The only similar species it overlaps with is Greater Double-collared Sunbird, which differs by being 20% larger, with a longer heavier bill, a much broader red breast band in the male, and a slower song.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Cinnyris chalybeus
- Authority
- (Linnaeus, 1766)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Genus
- Cinnyris
Range and habitat
This sunbird is common in gardens, fynbos, forests and coastal scrub. The southern double-collared sunbird breeds from April to December, depending on region. The closed oval nest is constructed from grass, lichen and other plant material, bound together with spider webs. It has a side entrance which sometimes has a porch, and is lined with wool, plant down and feathers.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The southern double-collared sunbird is usually seen singly or in small groups. Its flight is fast and direct on short wings. It lives mainly on nectar from flowers, but takes some fruit, and, especially when feeding young, insects and spiders. It can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perches to feed most of the time.<p>The call is a hard chee-chee, and the song is high pitched jumble of tinkling notes, rising and falling in pitch and tempo for 3–5 seconds or more.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Long-tailed Ground Dove
Uropelia campestris
Unmistakable ground dove. Brownish above and whitish below. Note the black spotting on the wings and the yellow eye-ring and legs. In flight the tail is V-shaped, with black sides and white tips. Found in grasslands and at the woodland edge, where it feeds on the ground. The song is a series of high-pitched “wha-ooop...wha-ooop...wha-ooop...” notes.
Gray-chested Dove
Leptotila cassinii
Retiring, terrestrial dove of humid tropical forest in the lowlands. Heard more frequently than seen. Like other members of the genus, it can be found walking quietly on shady roadsides and trails, especially early and late in the day. It often flushes explosively and flies to a low perch in the understory. Told from White-tipped Dove and Gray-headed Dove by warm brown crown and hindneck, and duskier grayish chest. In flight, all Leptotila doves show white tail corners and rusty under the wings.
Malayan Whistling-Thrush
Myophonus robinsoni
Dark bluish thrush-like bird with a bright yellow bill. Found solely in the highlands of peninsular Malaysia. Lacks “spangled” look of Blue Whistling-Thrush. Found in hilly or montane forests, where it favors wet stony areas around streams or gullies. Call is a high sharp whistle, somewhat akin to brakes squealing.
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