Greater double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris afrea)

Another of the birds I photographed in the Addo Elephant National Park.  The Greater Double-collared Sunbird is endemic to South Africa. Sunbirds are invariably iridescent, colorful (males) and females usually fairly dull. They have decurved bills adapted to get nectar from the base of the flowers they frequent.

This specific Sunbird, has a big red breast band with fine purple band above red and green-blue head and back, all iridescent and changing as light hits it. As I said female is pale grey-brown. Best picture I got was this one.

They were all over this Cotyledon specie plant, possibly C. orbiculata or velutina. A succulent plant fairly common in our region.

Did you see the nectar fly, and the tongue? They live in tall shrubs and forest fringes, hilly areas and gardens.

For a novice photographer like me, this is a tough assignment to capture, but hopefully you get an idea of the beauty of these little active birds.

References:

A comprehensive illustrated field guide: Birds of Africa, south of the Sahara. Ian Sinclair, Peter Ryan. Struik Publisher. 2003