Abyssinian sunbird

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Abyssinian sunbird
Cinnyris habessinicus, Doho Lodge, Afar, Ethiopia 1.jpg
Male in central Ethiopia
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Nectariniidae
Genus: Cinnyris
Species:
C. habessinicus
Binomial name
Cinnyris habessinicus
Synonyms

Nectarinia habessinica

The Abyssinian sunbird (Cinnyris habessinicus), formerly the shining sunbird, is a species of passerine bird in the sunbird family Nectariniidae. The Arabian sunbird was formerly treated as a subspecies.

Contents

Subspecies

Three subspecies are recognised: [2]

Two additional former subspecies, C. h. hellmaryi and C. h. kinneari, have now been split as a separate species, the Arabian sunbird C. hellmaryi. [2]

Description

The Abyssinian sunbird is highly dimorphic and has three distinct plumages, juvenile, immature and adult. Adult males in breeding plumage have brilliant metallic green upperparts and throat, a violet or blue crown, a bright red band across the breast with a narrow line of metallic blue, and blue-black wings and tail. The females are brownish-buff, paler below. These small sunbirds mainly feed on nectar and small insects. [3]

Distribution and habitat

It is found in Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. [3]

This species prefers rocky or sandy areas and dry river beds with Acacia and Ziziphus trees. [3]

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References

  1. BirdLife International (2016). "Cinnyris habessinicus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T103803926A94555807. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T103803926A94555807.en . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (August 2024). "Dippers, leafbirds, flowerpeckers, sunbirds". IOC World Bird List Version 14.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 Williams, J. G. (1955). "A systematic revision and natural history of the shining sunbird of Africa". Condor. 57 (5): 249–262. doi: 10.2307/1364731 . JSTOR   1364731.