Anabathmis hartlaubii
The Principe Sunbird (Anabathmis hartlaubii) is a dazzling, diminutive passerine endemic to the lush island of Príncipe in the Gulf of Guinea. Males display brilliant iridescent green to bronze upperparts, a glossy violet-blue crown, and a contrasting bright yellow abdomen, often accentuated by prominent yellow pectoral tufts and sometimes a yellow rump. Females are typically duller, with olive-green upperparts and a pale yellow to whitish belly. Measuring approximately 13-14 cm (5-5.5 inches...
Tropical lowland primary and secondary forests, forest edges, and cultivated areas like cocoa and coffee plantations, from sea level up to the higher elevations of Príncipe Island.
Primarily feeds on nectar from various flowering plants, supplemented by small insects and spiders gleaned from foliage or caught in flight.
Principe Sunbirds are highly active, diurnal birds, constantly flitting and hovering among flowering plants. Their foraging strategy primarily involves probing flowers for nectar with their specialized long, decurved bill, often hovering briefly like hummingbirds, but they also glean small insect...
Exclusively endemic to Príncipe Island, one of the two main islands comprising São Tomé and Príncipe in the Gulf of Guinea. This resident species is found throughout the island, from coastal areas to its highest peaks, inhabiting various forest types and agricultural landscapes. Its range is enti...
Least Concern
- The Principe Sunbird is a true island endemic, found only on Príncipe Island, making it a unique and geographically isolated species. - Its scientific name, *hartlaubii*, honors the German ornithologist Gustav Hartlaub, who described many African birds. - Despite its resemblance to hummingbirds...