Cinnyris batesi
The Bates's Sunbird (Cinnyris batesi) is a small, enchanting passerine bird endemic to the lowland rainforests of West-Central Africa. Measuring approximately 9-10 cm (3.5-4 inches) in length, this species exhibits a subtle beauty that distinguishes it from its more brightly colored relatives. Males boast a glossy iridescent green head, upperparts, and throat, which can appear dark in certain light, contrasting with a dull dark grey to olive-grey belly; pectoral tufts, when visible, are a fai...
This sunbird primarily inhabits lowland primary and mature secondary rainforests, often found at forest edges and clearings, extending to elevations up to 1,000 meters.
The diet of Bates's Sunbird consists predominantly of nectar extracted from a variety of flowering plants, supplemented significantly by small insects and spiders gleaned from foliage.
Bates's Sunbirds are generally active and restless birds, typically observed singly or in pairs, rarely joining mixed-species foraging flocks. They spend their days actively foraging through the forest canopy and understory, often hovering briefly before flowers to extract nectar with their speci...
The Bates's Sunbird is exclusively found within the tropical rainforest belt of West-Central Africa. Its breeding range extends from southeastern Nigeria and Cameroon, through Equatorial Guinea (including Bioko island), Gabon, the Republic of the Congo, and the southwestern Central African Republ...
Least Concern
- Despite belonging to a genus renowned for brilliant iridescence, the male Bates's Sunbird is considered one of the 'duller' members, making it less conspicuous but no less captivating. - Its scientific name, *batesi*, honors American ornithologist George Latimer Bates, who extensively explored ...