#BirdyTuesday: Variable Sunbird

Getting tweety on #BirdyTuesday! Listen closely, and you might hear the call “tew-tew-tew-tew-tew” as we spotlight the Variable Sunbird, Cinnyris venustus, from the Nectariniidae family. These tiny birds, about 10 centimeters long, showcase remarkable variations in plumage across their vast African range.

Male Variable Sunbirds are a feast for the eyes, flaunting a glossy green head, throat, and nape, a maroon breast band, and a belly that can vary in color—yellow, orange, or white. The extent of purple on their throats and the overall brightness of their plumage can differ greatly between populations. In contrast, females have a more subdued appearance, with grey-brown upperparts and yellowish underparts.

These agile fliers are perfectly equipped for their nectar-rich diet. Their long, curved bills and brush-tipped tongues allow them to hover at flowers, a behavior reminiscent of hummingbirds. They thrive in a variety of habitats, from open woodlands and savannas to gardens and cultivated landscapes.

The Variable Sunbird’s adaptability and dazzling diversity make it a captivating species to observe. That’s it for this week—let’s meet again next Tuesday for another #BirdyTuesday adventure!

Images: Chris Boyes, Kibara Plateau 2024