Eastern Double-collared Sunbird

Overview

The Cinnyris mediocris, or eastern double-collared sunbird, is a small avian species in the family Nectariniidae. It is a common bird found in the mountainous regions of Kenya and northern Tanzania, where its population trend is considered steady.

Identification

• Adult males feature metallic green upperparts, dark wings and tail, a red breast band, and an olive belly.
• Adult females have olive upperparts with brown wings and yellowish-green underparts.
• The species possesses a strongly curved bill adapted for sipping nectar from flowers.

Habitat

Native to upland areas of Kenya and northern Tanzania, this species inhabits forests, upland pasture, heathland, and bamboo. It typically resides at altitudes between 600 and 1,500 m but descends to lower elevations following the breeding season.

Diet

Feeding alone, in pairs, or within small mixed-species flocks, the bird consumes nectar, insects, spiders, and small molluscs. It explores inflorescences acrobatically to extract nectar, catches flying ants on the wing, and picks invertebrates from the backs of leaves.

Did you know?

Mixed-species flocks containing these sunbirds are frequently led by the white-headed wood hoopoe (Phoeniculus bollei).