About the Scarlet-tufted Sunbird
The scarlet-tufted sunbird is a species of bird in the Nectarinia of the family Nectariniidae. It is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. It is also known as the red-tufted sunbird and the scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The scarlet-tufted sunbird is a large sunbird. Adult males have long tails, up to about 20 centimetres (7.9 in) in length, and scarlet pectoral tufts up to about 10 millimetres (0.39 in) wide. These tufts can be seen in flight and when the wings are rearranged, but not in perched birds. The head is black and the upper parts are metallic green, appearing almost black from a distance. The rump is bluish and the wings and tail black, the latter having elongated central feathers. The underparts are iridescent green, fading to bluish-violet on the upper belly and black on the lower belly.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Congo - Kinshasa.
When to see it
Peak activity in December · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Bocage's SunbirdNectarinia bocagiiBocage's 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.
Tacazze SunbirdNectarinia tacazzeThe Tacazze sunbird is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae.
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