From Opus

Cinnyris coccinigastrus

Nectarinia coccinigaster

Photo by Steve G
Photo taken: Makasutu Cultural Forest, The Gambia

[edit] Identification

The Splendid Sunbird is a medium-large Sunbird with a fairly long decurved bill. The adult male is very dark, having a metallic dark green mantle, back & inner wing with and a glossy dark blue rump. The chin and throat are metallic violet transforming to metallic scarlet on the breast. Adult females are dark grey above, pale grey over the throat and have a yellow wash on the belly which is streaked grey. Immatures are like the adult female but with blackish areas around the throat. The young males progressively develop metallic colouration initially from the chin area and on the inner wings.

[edit] Distribution

West and central tropical Africa.

[edit] Taxonomy

This is one of the many Sunbirds that have recently been moved to the genus Cinnyris from the genus Nectarinia.

[edit] Habitat

Wet savanna and woodland with Oil Palms Elaeis guineensis.

[edit] Behaviour

1=2 eggs are laid in an oval suspended nest in a tree.

[edit] External Links