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ShrublandDomed nestTiny · 14 g
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.
When to see the Malachite Sunbird
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is October, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Malachite Sunbird
The map shades 14 countries with regular records, and 1 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Burundi.
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.
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.
Side by side: Bronze Sunbird vs Malachite Sunbird
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