Southern double-collared sunbird

Hi Steemheads,

I decided that I will try as often as possible, to teach you new things about birds and animals in South Africa and Africa, my home continent starting with the beautiful southern double-collared sunbird.

Commonly found in fynbos, forests and coastal shrubs, they breed from April to December depending on the region.
They build a nest with grass, lichen and other plant materials and bind them together using spider webs.

The bird is about 12cm long and the adult male has a glossy, green metallic head, throat upper breast and back. It has a bright red band across the chest, separated from the green breast by a narrow metallic blue band. The rest of the underparts are whitish. When displaying, yellow feather tufts can be seen on the shoulders. As with other sunbirds the bill is long and decurved. The bill, legs and feet are black. The eye is dark brown.

The female bird has brown upperparts and yellowish-grey underparts. The juvenile resembles the female.

These birds are usually seen singly or in small groups. Its flight is fast and direct on small wings. It lives on nectar from flowers, but takes some fruit, and, especially when feeding young, insects and spiders. It can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perches to feed most of the time.

Hope you enjoy the pictures and that you have a great day!

Please note that these images are my own pictures I have taken myself and therefore I own all rights to them.