Giant Sunbird - BirdForum Opus

Alternative name: Sao Tome Sunbird

Dreptes thomensis

Nectarinia thomensis

Identification

A large (15-17 cm) sunbird with a long tail. Very dark iridescent blue and purple, with a yellow vent.

Distribution

Restricted to São Tomé

Taxonomy

This is a monotypic species^[1].

This species was recently split from the genus Nectarinia and been placed in the monotypic genus Dreptes.

Habitat

Forest and forest edges. Classified as Vulnerable in the 2008 IUCN Red List due to the limited area of forest in its range.²

Behaviour

The Sao Tome Sunbird feeds on invertebrates and nectar.

References

1. Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
2. BirdLife International (2008) Species factsheet: Nectarinia thomensis. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 6/11/2008.

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