Bates's Sunbird
Cinnyris batesi
A very small nondescript sunbird with a short orange-based bill that curves uniformly along its length; easily mistaken for females of other sunbirds. The only features on the olive upperparts are indistinct paler eyebrows and lines running under the eyes, and yellow edging to the wings. Although often hidden, the male has yellow or whitish (not red) tufts at the shoulders. Singles are local and inconspicuous at the edges of lowland and riverine forest, sometimes entering secondary growth; it joins mixed-flocks and is frequently attracted to epiphytes in mossy clumps. Calls a high-pitched “tseeep” and trills. Little Green and Fraser’s sunbirds are similar to Bates’s but brighter, with straighter bills and more distinct yellowish eye-rings; Ursula’s Sunbird has a long decurved bill and grayish face and underparts.
Identification
Bates's sunbird is a very small dull green sunbird with a short, decurved bill a short tail and a yellowish belly. The male has dark olive upperparts, except for a vague pale supercilium, with paler greyer underparts with a pale buffy centre to the belly. The wings are dark brown with pale fringes and the tail is black with wide olive edges and tips to the outer tail feathers. There are long wispy yellow feathers on the sides of the breast, in the otherwise similar female these feathers are whiter and may be much reduced in length. They measure 9–10 cm in length and weigh 5.7–7g. Given the species overall drab plumage and furtive habits, it can be easily overlooked.
Taxonomy
Monotypic.
- Scientific name
- Cinnyris batesi
- Authority
- Ogilvie-Grant, 1908
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Genus
- Cinnyris
Range and habitat
Bates's sunbird is an uncommon resident of forest and rainforest from Liberia in the west to the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo in the east, occurring south as far as Angola and northern Zambia. This species is also known from Bioko. Bates's sunbird is found in the canopy of trees in primary rainforest, also at forest edges, secondary growth and cultivated areas with tall trees.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Ayres's Hawk-Eagle
Hieraaetus ayresii
Small black-and-white eagle. Has a compact, powerful shape, and the hint of a crest. The upperparts are black, and there are heavy black markings on the underparts and evenly across the underwing. Found in thick woodland and forest. Soars frequently. Call is a loud, repeated “kwee-ya.” Similar to other hawk-eagles, but has more heavily marked underparts. Easily separated in flight, when Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle shows black barring across the entire underwing.
Arfak Astrapia
Astrapia nigra
A long-tailed bird of montane forest canopy. Male has much longer tail with iridescent green belly, black chest and small, iridescent blue throat patch. Female is blackish with indistinct barring on the belly. Feeds on fruit and searches for insects on mossy branches and epiphytes. Somewhat similar to Black Sicklebill but Arfak Astrapia lacks the long, curved bill. Call, a relatively low “clup!” that sounds somewhat like banging 2 large stones together.
Moltoni's Warbler
Curruca subalpina
Closely related to Subalpine Warbler. Paler rufous below compared to the western species of Subalpine Warbler and lacks contrast between the rusty throat and whitish belly like the eastern subspecies of Subalpine Warbler. Breeds in Mediterranean scrub. In winter found in semi-arid acacia savanna. Call a diagnostic dry “trrrrr,” reminiscent of Spectacled Warbler.
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