Red-tufted Sunbird
Nectarinia johnstoni
Large, long-billed dark sunbird with red shoulder tufts that are often hidden. Males have very long tail streamers and are dark iridescent green in breeding plumage, and gray-brown with some green patches in non-breeding plumage. Females are dark gray-brown. Found in grassland and heath habitats at very high elevations. Vocalizations include metallic calls and a quick, scrambled song. Similar to Malachite Sunbird, but generally found at higher elevations, and looks darker in all plumages; female lacks white edges to the tail.
Identification
The scarlet-tufted sunbird is a large sunbird. Adult males have long tails, up to about 20 centimetres (7.9 in) in length, and scarlet pectoral tufts up to about 10 millimetres (0.39 in) wide. These tufts can be seen in flight and when the wings are rearranged, but not in perched birds. The head is black and the upper parts are metallic green, appearing almost black from a distance. The rump is bluish and the wings and tail black, the latter having elongated central feathers. The underparts are iridescent green, fading to bluish-violet on the upper belly and black on the lower belly. The female has brownish-grey upper parts, brownish-black wings and a dark brown tail. The underparts are whitish with dark mottling. The pectoral tufts are smaller than those of the male and may be rather more orangey-red. The juvenile is similar to the adult female but lacks the pectoral tufts.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Nectarinia johnstoni
- Authority
- Shelley, 1885
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Genus
- Nectarinia
Range and habitat
The scarlet-tufted sunbird is found at very high altitudes in the Afroalpine Rwenzori-Virunga montane moorlands and East African montane moorlands, though also found at lower altitudes. Its normal range is on several disjunct areas of montane forest and moorland between 3,000 and 4,500 m (9,843 and 14,764 ft) in altitude, which encompasses a number of zones of vegetation. It is especially associated with giant lobelia, feeding on the nectar and insects on the plants, and using the tall flowerheads as song-posts. At lower altitudes it feeds on Protea and other plants.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Orange-throated Tanager
Wetmorethraupis sterrhopteron
Unique and beautiful rainforest tanager known only from several remote areas of the eastern Andes in northern Peru and southeastern Ecuador. No other Andean bird has an orange throat, black upperparts, and blue wings. Most often encountered in clearings with scattered trees or at the edge of the forest. Pairs or small groups roam widely through the forest canopy, giving loud, far-carrying squeaky calls.
Sulawesi Masked-Owl
Tyto rosenbergii
A very large barn-owl with a gray facial disk, gray crown, and rufous upperparts and wings with scattered dark markings. Prefers open country, like agricultural land, plantations, and forest edge, from lowlands to mountains. Limited to Sulawesi. Distinguished from smaller Minahassa Masked-Owl by gray face, gray forecrown, more extensive dark markings across wings and upperparts, and preference for open country. Distinguished from Australasian Grass-Owl by feathered legs that do not project beyond the tail in flight, and by less contrasting wing pattern. Call is a long screeching note.
Lowland Peltops
Peltops blainvillii
A medium-sized bird of lowland forest edge and clearings. Distinctive plumage. Mainly black, bright red above and below the base of the tail, and white marks on the cheek and back. Perches in tall trees, sallying for flying insects. Very similar to Mountain Peltops, but Lowland is found at lower elevations and has a smaller white cheek. Voice, a double note rap, “plik-it!” repeated at regular intervals. Also, a distinctive, unbirdlike, vibrating rattle.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.