Abyssinian Sunbird

Overview

The Abyssinian sunbird, formerly known as the shining sunbird, is a passerine bird in the sunbird family Nectariniidae classified as Least Concern. Its range includes Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda.

Identification

• Cinnyris habessinicus is small and highly dimorphic with three distinct plumages: juvenile, immature, and adult.
• Adult males in breeding plumage display brilliant metallic green upperparts and throat, a violet or blue crown, and a bright red breast band with a narrow metallic blue line.
• Wings and tail are blue-black in breeding males, while females are brownish-buff and paler below.

Habitat

Found across Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda, the species prefers rocky or sandy areas and dry river beds featuring Acacia and Ziziphus trees. Three subspecies are recognised, distributed across regions from north-east Sudan to north-east Uganda.

Diet

These small sunbirds mainly feed on nectar and small insects.

Did you know?

The Arabian sunbird, Cinnyris hellmaryi, was formerly treated as a subspecies of the Abyssinian sunbird before being split as a separate species.