About the Malachite Sunbird
The malachite sunbird is a small nectarivorous bird found from the highlands of Ethiopia southwards to South Africa. They pollinate many flowering plants, particularly those with long corolla tubes, in the Fynbos.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The breeding male malachite sunbird, which has very long central tail feathers, is 25 cm long, and the shorter-tailed female 15 cm. The adult male is metallic green when breeding, with blackish-green wings with small yellow pectoral patches. In non-breeding (eclipse) plumage, the male's upperparts are brown apart from the green wings and tail, the latter retaining the elongated feathers. The underparts in eclipse plumage are yellow, flecked with green. The female has brown upperparts and dull yellow underparts with some indistinct streaking on the breast. Her tail is square-ended.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Burundi.
When to see it
Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Bronze SunbirdNectarinia kilimensisBronze sunbirds have a long, thin, well-curved bill.
Tacazze SunbirdNectarinia tacazzeThe Tacazze sunbird is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae.
Purple-breasted SunbirdNectarinia purpureiventrisThe purple-breasted sunbird is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae.
Learn the Malachite Sunbird for real
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