Chalcomitra fuliginosa
The Carmelite Sunbird, *Chalcomitra fuliginosa*, is a captivating passerine of West and Central Africa, known for its understated beauty among its often flamboyant sunbird relatives. This species measures approximately 11-12 cm (4.3-4.7 inches) in length and weighs between 7 and 12 grams. Males are predominantly sooty-brown to black, with a distinctive iridescent green crown that shimmers in direct light, a subtle purplish-blue sheen on the wings and tail, and small, often concealed, yellow p...
This sunbird primarily inhabits lowland coastal regions, favoring mangrove forests, secondary growth, riverine vegetation, plantations, and well-vegetated gardens. It is typically found at elevations from sea level up to around 1,000 meters.
The primary diet of the Carmelite Sunbird consists of nectar, supplemented by a variety of small insects and spiders. They obtain nectar by probing flowers with their long, specialized bills, and catch insects by gleaning from foliage or hawking them in flight.
Carmelite Sunbirds are active diurnal birds, typically observed singly or in pairs, though they may occasionally join mixed-species foraging flocks. Their foraging strategy involves actively probing flowers for nectar while perched or hovering briefly, gleaning insects from foliage, and making ae...
The Carmelite Sunbird is a widespread resident across the coastal and lowland regions of West and Central Africa. Its breeding and year-round range extends from Sierra Leone eastward through Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea, continuing south into ...
Least Concern
- The Carmelite Sunbird is named for its predominantly dark, sooty plumage, which reminded early observers of the brown robes worn by Carmelite friars. - Unlike many sunbird species, the Carmelite Sunbird exhibits less pronounced sexual dimorphism, with females closely resembling males in their d...