Violet-tailed Sunbird? Bangui today (1 Viewer)

patricklhoir

Bird lover

• Oct 25, 2016

• #1

Hi all,

May you confirm that the bird on the picture is a female Violet-tailed Sunbird?

Thank you in advance,

 

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Lisa W

I really need to get out and bird more

Staff member

Supporter

• Oct 25, 2016

• #2

Hi Patrick, wish I could help with the ID. Just wanted to say splendid picture.

 

patricklhoir

Bird lover

• Oct 26, 2016

• #3

Lisa W said:

Hi Patrick, wish I could help with the ID. Just wanted to say splendid picture.

Click to expand...

Thank you Lisa. Hope somebody will confirm the ID.

 

A

andyb39

Well-known member

• Oct 26, 2016

• #4

I'm not familiar with the species, but your bird looks a good match for this female:

http://www.africanbirdclub.org/afbid/search/birddetails/species/1874/28577

I can't really help any more - the CAR has 26 species of sunbird and without a good field guide, that's too many species to go through!

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Oct 26, 2016

• #5

The confusion species would be Violet-backed I think. The purplish patch on lower nape / upper back isn't what I'd expect of a female Violet-tailed looking at 'Birds of Western Africa' Borrow and Demey but I think it's one of these two.

Andy

 

Last edited: Oct 26, 2016

A

andyb39

Well-known member

• Oct 26, 2016

• #6

If it's Eastern Violet-backed we're talking about, the female seems to be a pretty dull bird, lacking in yellow tones:

http://www.tanzaniabirds.net/African_birds/sunbird_eastern_violet_backed/evbs.htm

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Oct 26, 2016

• #7

andyb39 said:

If it's Eastern Violet-backed we're talking about, the female seems to be a pretty dull bird, lacking in yellow tones:

http://www.tanzaniabirds.net/African_birds/sunbird_eastern_violet_backed/evbs.htm

Click to expand...

I'd be referring to Western V-b as described in the book which covers CAR but same as you Andy, I'm only going on books not experience. That purple lower nape is baffling me, that's what I might expect of an immature male but this is a female clearly?

When do we employ the hybrid theory!

Andy

 

A

andyb39

Well-known member

• Oct 26, 2016

• #8

There's a hint of violet on the nape of this bird:

http://www.rockjumperbirding.com/wp...estination-gabon/violet-tailed-sunbird-dh.jpg

However, this is the Western form, seen in Gabon - don't know if it makes a difference.

 

Andy Adcock

Worst person on Birdforum

• Oct 26, 2016

• #9

Bill structure, I think they should be noticeably different?



A

 

sicklebill

well-known Cretaceous relic

• Oct 26, 2016

• #10

I think it's a female Violet-tailed, it's an excellent match for the one by Richard Allen in the "Sunbirds" Helm Guide, with lots of yellow on the underparts and colourful above, not uniform like the Violet-backed. One I still need too!

 

patricklhoir

Bird lover

• Oct 27, 2016

• #11

As I'm here without any book references, I just rely on what I have in my head and on what I find through internet.
Thank you all for your replies.

 

Tib78

Well-known member

• Oct 27, 2016

• #12

100% Violet-tailed for the reasons mentionned. Nice pic Patrick!

 

delia todd

If I said the wrong thing it was a Senior Moment

Staff member

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Oct 27, 2016

• #13

What a wonderful find for you Patrick!!! And a super picture you've taken of her too.

We don't currently have any pictures of this species in the Gallery, and we'd be very grateful if you could upload your picture there too.

 

patricklhoir

Bird lover

• Oct 27, 2016

• #14

Thank you Tib and Delia!! I will upload the picture to the gallery.