Black-bellied Sunbird

About the Black-bellied Sunbird

The black-bellied sunbird (Cinnyris nectarinioides) is a small sunbird located primarily in Africa. Two subspecies are recognized: the Cinnyris nectarinioides erlangeri, which is smaller and found in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya; and the Cinnyris nectarinioides nectarinioides, which is larger and found in Kenya and Tanzania. This bird inhabits savannah, wetlands, and terrestrial freshwater areas.

This species has an average size of 13cm for males and 10 cm for females with both weights typically ranging from 4 to 6 grams. The black-bellied sunbird feeds on nectar, insects and spiders, the latter having gained it the nickname "spiderhunter". They forage in the higher levels of trees and perch in order to feed. These birds do not migrate in different seasons of the year, and inhabit the same area year round.

The black-bellied sunbird is part of the species Cinnyris nectarinioides and has two recognized subspecies. The smaller, the Cinnyris nectarinioides erlangeri inhabits Northeast Kenya and can also be found in Southeast Ethiopia and South Somalia. The larger subspecies, the Cinnyris nectarinioides nectarinioides, inhabits Southeast Kenya and Northeast Tanzania. Both... Wikipedia →