Anthreptes tephrolaemus
The Grey-chinned Sunbird (Anthreptes tephrolaemus) is a striking, small passerine bird, typically measuring around 12-14 cm in length and weighing 8-12 grams. Males are particularly vibrant, boasting iridescent metallic green upperparts that shimmer with blue and bronze highlights depending on the light, contrasting sharply with a distinctive, dull grey chin and throat, often appearing slightly darker. Their underparts are a bright, unmarked yellow. Females share the yellow belly but have dul...
Primarily inhabits tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests, secondary growth, forest edges, and often found in plantations, gardens, and woodlands. It typically occurs from sea level up to around 1,800 meters in elevation.
Feeds primarily on nectar from a wide variety of flowers, supplemented by small insects and spiders gleaned from foliage.
The Grey-chinned Sunbird is active throughout the day, foraging energetically, and generally roosts singly or in pairs among dense foliage. Its primary foraging strategy involves probing flowers for nectar with its long, brush-tipped tongue, often hovering briefly like a hummingbird but more freq...
The Grey-chinned Sunbird boasts a wide and fragmented distribution across sub-Saharan Africa. Its primary range extends from West Africa, including countries like Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria. It continues eastward through Central Africa, encompass...
Least Concern
- The Grey-chinned Sunbird possesses a specially adapted brush-tipped tongue, perfect for efficiently extracting nectar from deep within flowers. - Despite their ability to hover momentarily like hummingbirds, they more commonly perch to feed, conserving energy. - Males exhibit striking iridescen...