Northern Double-collared Sunbird

Overview

The northern double-collared sunbird (Cinnyris reichenowi) is a medium-sized bird in the family Nectariniidae. It is a common species with a steady population trend across a wide range in sub-Saharan Africa, assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

Identification

• Medium-sized body with a metallic green head and back that exhibits a steely-blue sheen in certain light conditions.
• A narrow purple collar separates the metallic green throat from a scarlet breast, while pale yellow pectoral tufts may be visible.
• The rump is greyish-brown and the tail is black with blue gloss, contrasting with dark brown flight feathers.
• Black eyes, beak, and legs; adult females and juveniles appear drab with dark olive green upper parts and greyish-olive underparts tinged with yellow.

Habitat

Found in Burundi, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda. The species is divided into three subspecies, including the rift sunbird in East Africa, the volcano sunbird in the Cameroon highlands and Bioko, and the Genderu sunbird in the xeric interior of the Adamawa Plateau.

Diet

Feeds on nectar, insects, their larvae, and spiders. It tends to perch in the mid-storeys of trees, looking from side to side while foraging.

Did you know?

Males are highly territorial and aggressive throughout the year, often engaging in mid-air fights with conspecific males that may continue on the ground. They also battle with other species such as the Cameroon sunbird and the olive-bellied sunbird.