male; irridescent green head; red breast band (South Africa; 2007-06-30)


Southern Double-collared Sunbird
Cinnyris chalybaeus

Native Range: Africa

Notes: a close relative of other "double-collared" sunbirds of which there are several species in different parts of Africa; this particular species is broadly sympatric with the Greater Double-collared Sunbird, from which it is told by its smaller body size and the narrower band of red across the male's breast (the red band is twice as wide in the Greater Double-collared Sunbird).

dorsal view; long decurved bill; green back (South Africa; 2007-06-30)
band of blue above red band on breast (South Africa; 2007-06-30)

gray belly; tuft of bright yellow tuft on shoulder (South Africa; 2007-06-30)
the yellow tuft seen here is seldom evident (South Africa; 2007-06-30)

male posing for a portrait (South Africa; 2007-06-30)
throat appears black especially in poor light (South Africa; 2007-06-30)

female; plain brownish all over; decurved bill (South Africa; 2007-06-30)
frontal view of female (South Africa; 2007-06-30)