Olive-bellied Sunbird
Cinnyris chloropygius
Small sunbird in which males are colorful, green and red, and females drab brownish. Males have yellow shoulder tufts that are usually hidden. Found in forest clearings, along forest edge, and in woodland, moist savanna, gardens, and brush. Often feeds on low flowers. The song is a quick, high-pitched jumble. Similar to Tiny Sunbird, but larger, with a shorter and more curved bill, and males are less bluish above. Male very similar to male double-collared sunbirds, but lacks blue or purple band above the red on the breast.
Identification
The olive-bellied sunbird is a small species, and very similar to the tiny sunbird (Cinnyris minullus) in appearance. The adult male has a metallic green head, back and throat, dark brown wings, a metallic blue rump and a black tail with a purplish-blue sheen. It has a narrow blue breast band above a wider scarlet breast patch, lemon-yellow pectoral tufts and an olive belly. It differs from the slightly smaller tiny sunbird in having a larger beak and no blue bars among the red breast plumage. The adult female has an olive-brown head and upper parts, dark brown wings and dark brown tail. The underparts are olive washed with yellow, and are yellower and less streaked than the tiny sunbird.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Cinnyris chloropygius
- Authority
- (Jardine, 1842)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Genus
- Cinnyris
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The olive-bellied sunbird moves about singly or in pairs, or sometimes in groups of about six birds. It forages in the lower parts of the canopy, feeding on caterpillars, beetles, spiders, nectar, flowers and seeds. The male is territorial and will drive away members of its species as well as tiny sunbirds. The nest is a straggly affair formed from grasses, strips of bark and leaves, and lined with fine material. Incubation is done entirely by the female.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
White-tailed Cotinga
Xipholena lamellipennis
Astonishingly beautiful cotinga. Males are glossy black with white wings and tail. Females are gray with a lightly mottled breast and white edges to the flight feathers. Note the white eyes in both sexes. Occurs in humid forest, where it is usually detected perched high in the canopy or in fruiting trees at the forest edge. The call is a loud “purp.” The female is very difficult to separate from female Pompadour Cotinga, but ranges do not overlap.
Cryptic Forest-Falcon
Micrastur mintoni
Beautiful forest-falcon, typically very difficult to see. Has a gray head and back, bare red facial skin, and white underparts with gray bars on the breast. Note the single broad white bar on the upper tail. Found in dense humid forest. Has a distinctive song, usually given at dawn, typically a slow series of single low-pitched “uk uk uk uk....” notes. Can be confused with Barred Forest-Falcon, but adult Barred Forest-Falcons have bare yellow facial skin and heavily barred underparts with three narrow white tail bars.
Eastern Screech-Owl
Megascops asio
Small, stocky owl with large head and no neck. Pointed ear tufts are often raised. Varies in color from gray to bright rufous (reddish-brown). Intricate pattern is perfect for camouflage against tree bark. Yellow eyes. Active at night when they prey on small birds and mammals. More often heard than seen; listen for its descending whinny and longer trill. Roosts and nests in cavities, including nest boxes. Found in a variety of habitats with trees, particularly near water.
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