Cinnyris nectarinioides
The Black-bellied Sunbird (*Cinnyris nectarinioides*) is a striking small passerine, exhibiting pronounced sexual dimorphism, characteristic of the sunbird family Nectariniidae. Males are brilliantly iridescent, featuring a dazzling metallic green head and upperparts, a shimmering violet-blue band across the chest, and, uniquely, a velvety black belly that gives the species its common name. They are relatively small, measuring approximately 10-11 cm in length and weighing around 7-10 grams, w...
This species primarily inhabits arid and semi-arid environments, favoring acacia woodlands, dry bushland, and scrubby areas. It is typically found in low to mid-elevation regions, rarely exceeding 1,200 meters above sea level.
The diet of the Black-bellied Sunbird consists predominantly of nectar extracted from a variety of flowering plants using its specialized bill and tongue. It also consumes small insects and spiders, which are crucial for protein, especially during breeding, obtained by gleaning or aerial hawking.
Black-bellied Sunbirds are diurnal, actively foraging throughout the day and roosting solitarily or in pairs amongst dense foliage at night. Their foraging strategy primarily involves probing flowers for nectar with their long, decurved bills and tubular tongues, often hovering like hummingbirds ...
The Black-bellied Sunbird is endemic to East Africa, with its primary distribution spanning across Somalia, eastern Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and north-eastern Tanzania. Its range extends from the lowlands of the Horn of Africa southwards through the dry bushlands of Kenya and into the northern pa...
Least Concern
- The Black-bellied Sunbird's dazzling iridescence is not due to pigments, but rather the structural arrangement of melanin granules within its feathers, reflecting light at specific wavelengths. - Its long, decurved bill and tubular tongue are perfectly adapted to access nectar deep within flowe...