Cinnyris oustaleti
The Oustalet's Sunbird (Cinnyris oustaleti) is a diminutive and dazzling passerine endemic to Madagascar, celebrated for the male's brilliant iridescent plumage. Males typically measure around 10-11 cm in length and feature a striking metallic green-blue throat and upper breast, bordered by a coppery-red band and often a narrow violet-purple band, famously highlighted by prominent yellow pectoral tufts on each side. Their back is olive-green, contrasting with a grayish-white belly. Females ar...
This adaptable sunbird thrives in a variety of open and semi-open habitats across Madagascar, including forest edges, secondary growth, savannas, shrublands, plantations, and gardens. It can be found from sea-level up to elevations of approximately 1,800 meters.
Oustalet's Sunbirds primarily feed on nectar, which provides essential energy, supplemented by a significant intake of small insects and spiders for protein. They forage by hovering at flowers or gleaning arthropods from vegetation.
Oustalet's Sunbirds are highly energetic and diurnal, actively foraging throughout the day and typically roosting solitarily or in small groups amidst dense foliage at night. Their primary foraging strategy involves hovering or perching briefly to extract nectar from flowering plants using their ...
The Oustalet's Sunbird is strictly endemic to Madagascar, where it is widely distributed across the entire island. Its range encompasses a broad spectrum of habitats, from coastal plains and dry deciduous forests in the west to the humid eastern rainforest belt and the central high plateaus. Whil...
Least Concern
- Its genus, Cinnyris, is named after the Greek word 'kinnuris' for a small bird, and 'oustaleti' honors French zoologist Jean-Frédéric Emile Oustalet. - Males possess unique bright yellow pectoral tufts, which are not always visible but can be flared during courtship or territorial displays. - L...