Marico Sunbird
Cinnyris mariquensis
Male is iridescent green above with a dark belly and maroon and bluish bands across the breast. Female is nondescript, with blurry streaks across the pale yellow underparts. Found in woodland, scrub, and savanna, including semi-desert thornscrub. Most distinctive vocalization is an energetic series of “tyip” notes. Also gives a high-pitched, jumbled song. Very similar to several other sunbird species but distinguished by slightly larger size and longer bill with a thicker base.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Cinnyris mariquensis
- Authority
- Smith, A, 1836
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Genus
- Cinnyris
Range and habitat
It is found in Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.<p>The African population of Marico sunbird was spotted on various occasions in between July and August 2016 in locations southwest of where its previously believed range ended. These records raised a red flag of a southward range expansion and therefore a more detailed investigation of the range expansion of the species was needed. The range of these birds is expanding into the Northern Cape and Free state provinces in central South Africa.<p>There are several theories as to why these birds are expanding or changing their range. It is believed that drought or floods can cause the species to search for a more favourable environment in the nearby vicinity. Since 2014, a severe drought has ravaged large parts of western and central South Africa, serving as a potential explanation for the southward movements of the Marico sunbird.<p>The current range change map was made by comparing the results of the first and second South African Birds Atlas Project's that were undertaken about 20 years apart.<p>It is interesting that they are expanding into the southwest of Africa with drier spaces and less tress as a woodlands species. This signifies that it is also possible that physiology and behaviour are playing a role in the southwestern migration of the species.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Atoll Fruit-Dove
Ptilinopus coralensis
A colorful dove, mostly green with a yellow belly, green wings, a silver neck and chest, and in the male, a limited magenta forehead patch. Similar to Makatea Fruit-Dove, but with much more washed-out coloring and pink instead of dark legs. The two species are unlikely to be found on the same islands. Call is a rising and falling series of typical dove-like coos.
Gray-winged Cotinga
Lipaugus conditus
Large cotinga with a very restricted range around Rio de Janeiro where it is found in cloud forests. Olive-green overall with a dusky mask and gray wings and tail. Differs from females of Black-and-gold Cotinga in having gray (not olive-green) wings. The song is a sharp and high-pitched two-parted whistle.
Lavender Waxbill
Glaucestrilda caerulescens
A tiny gray finch with a red tail and rump and a purplish bill. Male is bright silvery-gray all over with a pale throat and chest. Female is similar, but has darker underparts. Sometimes joins flocks with other small finches. Inhabits thickets in open areas such as hillsides and field edges. Call is a high, thin “see”, often given in series. Native to western Africa; introduced to Hawaii island, where it inhabits brushy and grassy areas.
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