Cinnyris reichenowi
The Northern Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris reichenowi) is a dazzling gem of East Africa, captivating observers with its vibrant, iridescent plumage and ceaseless activity. Measuring a mere 9-11 cm in length and weighing between 5-9 grams, males are particularly striking with their metallic green head, throat, and upperparts, contrasted by a brilliant narrow metallic blue-violet band atop a prominent scarlet breast-band, and a sunny yellow belly. Females, by contrast, are more subtly attir...
Found in tropical and subtropical moist montane forests, forest edges, woodlands, savannas, and cultivated gardens, typically at elevations between 900 to 3,000 meters.
Primarily feeds on nectar from a variety of flowering plants, supplemented with small insects and spiders gleaned from foliage or caught in flight.
Northern Double-collared Sunbirds are diurnal and highly active, spending their days flitting rapidly between flowers in search of nectar and insects. Males are notoriously territorial, fiercely defending their patches of blooming flowers, often engaging in aerial chases and vocal displays to war...
The Northern Double-collared Sunbird is endemic to the Afromontane regions of East Africa, with its distribution stretching across several countries. The nominate subspecies, *Cinnyris reichenowi reichenowi*, is primarily found in the highlands of Kenya and northern Tanzania. The second subspecie...
Least Concern
- Despite their hummingbird-like appearance and hovering ability, sunbirds are Old World passerines and not closely related to New World hummingbirds; their hovering mechanism evolved convergently. - The iridescent colors of the male's plumage are structural, meaning they are created by the micro...