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
Junin Antpitta
Grallaria obscura
Medium-sized, plain antpitta found in a limited area of the eastern Andes in south central Peru. It is uniform brown lacking strong field marks, but the pale eyering helps separate it from the similar Oxapampa Antpitta. Range and voice are also very important for ID. Typical songs include a short “bit-burr” and a series of five or six grating whistles. Inhabits the understory of high elevation forest and is mostly terrestrial, but sometimes perches higher to sing. It was formerly considered a subspecies of what used to be called Rufous Antpitta.
Plains Lark
Corypha kabalii
A large, robust rusty lark with a short crest, hefty bill, and rufous wing panel that is obvious in flight. Geographically variable, ranging from rufous on the back and plain and buffy below to gray on the back with streaks on the pale breast. Pairs are resident in open grassland, grassy savanna, woodland, and cultivated areas. The song is a simple combination of 2-3 whistled notes, repeated over and over. Separated from other larks in its range by its larger size and larger bill.
Violet-breasted Sunbird
Cinnyris chalcomelas
Male is iridescent-green above, with a dark belly and a purple band across the breast. Female is nondescript, with a pale eyebrow and blurry streaking across the pale yellowish underparts. Found locally in coastal thornscrub. Very similar to Tsavo Sunbird, but slightly larger and longer-billed, and male Violet-breasted has a broader purple breast band. Also similar to Purple-banded Sunbird, but the male is distinguished by the lack of a maroon band across the underparts. Gives “tsik” calls; song is a high-pitched jumble.
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