Collared Sunbird

Hedydipna collaris

Riverine forests. Glossy-green upperparts, head and upper breast; rest of underparts yellow. Female has entirely yellow underparts.

Sunbirds

Not Endemic

Description

Common resident. A large, dull and nondescript sunbird. Sexes are alike. Rusty upper breast is often absent in adult but usually present in immature. Isolated population in eastern Zimbabwe (b) sometimes considered a separate species (Western Olive Sunbird, C. obscura); the yellow pectoral tufts are absent in females of this race. Calls a sharp ‘tuk, tuk, tuk’, sings a reedy ‘tsee-tsee-tsee-tsee, tseedlee, eedlee-id-id-id-seedle…’. Occurs singly or in pairs in coastal and montane forest, mixed woodland, valley bush, riverine forests and suburban gardens.

Quick Facts

Bird Family

Small, insectivorous and nectar-drinking birds with decurved bills adapted to flower-probing. Males have iridescent plumage and yellow, orange or red tufts on the sides of the breast (pectoral tufts) that are displayed in excitement. Some males undergo an annual eclipse when they adopt drab, non-breeding plumage resembling the normal plumage of the female. Immatures are like females, often with a dark throat. Their flight is swift and erratic, males spending much time chasing females and other males. They gather in numbers when favoured nectar-rich plants are in blossom.