Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird
Anthreptes neglectus
Fairly small sunbird with an unusually short, warbler-like bill. The male has iridescent violet upperparts, while the female has brownish upperparts. Both sexes show pale-gray underparts, though the female often also shows a yellow wash. Generally uncommon in forest and lush woodland at low and middle elevations. Vocalizations include a “chek” call and typical sunbird twittering. Similar to Eastern and Western Violet-backed Sunbirds, but there is little overlap in range or habitat, and distinguished by the brownish back of the head and grayer underparts.
Identification
The Uluguru violet-backed sunbird (Anthreptes neglectus) is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae. The bird is small with a short bill. The male is an iridescent upper body while the female has a brown upperbody. Both have pale-gray underbodies. It is found in forests in eastern Kenya, eastern Tanzania (including the Uluguru Mountains, the basis for its common name) and north-eastern Mozambique. It is part of the violet-backed sunbird superspecies. In 2024, Anthreptes neglectus is listed as Least Concern.
Taxonomy
Genus: Anthreptes; Family: Nectariniidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Anthreptes neglectus
- Authority
- Neumann, 1922
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Genus
- Anthreptes
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Sri Lanka Scimitar-Babbler
Pomatorhinus melanurus
A striking babbler, with a long, bright yellow-orange downcurved bill, bold white eyebrow, deep chestnut upperparts, and clean white underparts. Inhabits the understory of forested areas and nearby scrub in both the lowlands and mountains, where typically encountered in pairs, and often moving with mixed species flocks. Distinctive song comprised of staccato “yee-doo-doo-doo” notes, sometimes given in duet with the second bird uttering a strident “ker-trick”.
Glacier Finch
Idiopsar speculifer
A fat and rather “neckless” finch (actually a tanager) of bogs or adjacent rocky slopes in the high Andes. Found in pairs or small groups, feeding on the ground. Note the overall blue-gray plumage with a large white crescent under the eyes; white wing patch can be hidden at rest but shows as white flash in flight. Compare with smaller White-throated Sierra Finch.
Golden Swallow
Tachycineta euchrysea
A graceful aerial feeder often found swooping for insects over pine woodlands or perched in tall snags. The Tree Swallow is rather similar, but has a blue-green rather than golden-green iridescence above. Also, the Tree Swallow has a less deeply forked tail and lacks the white on the side of neck that is present on the Golden Swallow. Vocalizations include a scratchy “chit-it” or “chit,” a sweet inflected “ch-yoy,” and various musical twitters.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.