Eastern Double-collared Sunbird
Cinnyris mediocris
A medium-sized sunbird. Males are colorful, red and green, and females drab brownish. Males have yellow shoulder tufts that are usually hidden. Found in montane forest clearings and edges, heath, scrub, and gardens. Very similar to Northern Double-collared and Olive-bellied Sunbirds, but males separated by the blue border above the red chest band. Female hard to separate from Northern Double-collared, but can be separated from Olive-bellied by the lack of a pale eye-stripe. The call is a pure “tseet” that often precedes a quick jumble of high-pitched notes.
Identification
The eastern double-collared sunbird is a small species. The adult male has upper parts a metallic green, dark wings and tail, and a red breast band and olive belly. The beak is strongly curved and used to sip nectar from flowers. The adult female is olive above, with brown on the wings and yellowish-green underparts.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Cinnyris mediocris
- Authority
- Shelley, 1885
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Genus
- Cinnyris
Range and habitat
The eastern double-collared sunbird is native to mountainous regions of Kenya and northern Tanzania. It is found in forests, upland pasture, heathland and bamboo, at altitudes of between 600 and 1,500 m (2,000 and 4,900 ft). It descends to lower altitudes after the breeding season.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The eastern double-collared sunbird feeds alone or in pairs, or may join small flocks of mixed species, which are often led by the white-headed wood hoopoe (Phoeniculus bollei). It feeds on nectar, insects, spiders and small molluscs; the insects include flies, neuropterans and hymenopterans. Flying ants may be caught on the wing, prey invertebrates are picked off the backs of leaves, and inflorescences are explored acrobatically to extract nectar.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Snowy-browed Nuthatch
Sitta villosa
The clean white brow and dark cap of this nuthatch separate it from other nuthatches in its range. Plain gray upperparts and tannish undersides give it a rather soiled and dirty appearance. Inhabits pine forests, sometimes venturing into large parks and gardens with coniferous stands. Gives a variety of calls, including bleating nasal notes, sharper chips, and loud yammering.
White-sided Hillstar
Oreotrochilus leucopleurus
Small hummingbird of the Andes from southern Bolivia through Argentina into central Chile; found in rocky and shrubby valleys, villages, and any open or semiopen areas with flowers. Often builds nest under eaves of buildings or bridges: a bulky cup of plant material and wool to insulate against cold nights. Fairly common. Readily identified in most of range by extensively white tail. Male has an emerald green gorget and a broad blue-black stripe on belly. Female is rather drab, but note slightly decurved bill, spotted throat, and tail pattern.
Silver Gull
Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae
Small gray gull with red legs. Adult has red bill (younger birds have a darker bill), white head and body, pale gray "silver" wings, which have prominent black and white tips. Abundant across much of New Zealand and coastal Australia, including inland areas around waterways and rivers.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.