Steve G
RAINBIRDER
I believe these images are of Mouse-brown Sunbird (Anthreptes gabonicus). I wonder if perhaps Nigel's excellent image in the database labelled as this species might not perhaps be a female Variable or Beautiful Sunbird.
The Mouse-brown Sunbird is a notorious Mangrove skulker found in both Red & White Mangroves & occasionally in nearby woodland. It ranges widely through West-African Mangroves & is probably very common in its preferred habitat but its skulking nature gives a false impression of rarity.
Unlike most Sunbirds the sexes are identical whilst immatures apparently ghost the adult plumage.
Mouse-brown Sunbirds are essentially insect-hunters gleaning spiders & small insects from the leaves & twigs of mangroves.
The images below were taken on the Mandina bolong at Makasutu in The Gambia. At Mandina lodges the birds are common & obvious, frequently coming to drink at strategically placed water-bowls.
The Mouse-brown Sunbird is a notorious Mangrove skulker found in both Red & White Mangroves & occasionally in nearby woodland. It ranges widely through West-African Mangroves & is probably very common in its preferred habitat but its skulking nature gives a false impression of rarity.
Unlike most Sunbirds the sexes are identical whilst immatures apparently ghost the adult plumage.
Mouse-brown Sunbirds are essentially insect-hunters gleaning spiders & small insects from the leaves & twigs of mangroves.
The images below were taken on the Mandina bolong at Makasutu in The Gambia. At Mandina lodges the birds are common & obvious, frequently coming to drink at strategically placed water-bowls.
