Discovering the Beauty of the Southern Double-Collared Sunbird: A Glimmering Jewel in the Woods

In the Old World, sunbirds are the equivalent of hummingbirds in the Americas. These dazzling birds display striking colors that shimmer in the sunlight. The males, often more flamboyant, are easily identifiable, while the females have more subdued hues, making recognition challenging.

Southern Double-collared Sunbird - eBird

The Southern Double-Collared Sunbird, with a length of 12 cm, boasts a stunning glossy metallic green head, throat, upper breast, and back, adding to its allure. A striking red band spans across its chest, separated from the green breast by a thin metallic blue band, while the remaining underparts are whitish. During displays, yellow feather tufts on the shoulders become visible. Like other sunbirds, it has a long curved bill and black legs and feet, with a dark brown eye adding to its overall charm.

Birds of the World: Greater double-collared sunbird

Distinguishing the Southern Double-Collared Sunbird from the Greater Double-Collared Sunbird is easy due to its smaller size, shorter bill, and narrower red chest band. The female of this species has brown upperparts and yellowish-grey underparts, while the juvenile looks similar to the female. Compared to the female Orange-Breasted Sunbird, the female Southern Double-Collared Sunbird has a greyer underpart and is darker below.

Greater Double-collared Sunbird - eBird

Typically spotted alone or in small clusters, the Southern Double-Collared Sunbird exhibits swift and straight flight, supported by its short wingspan. While it primarily feeds on nectar from flowers, it also consumes fruit and occasionally insects and spiders, particularly when raising young. While it can gather nectar while hovering like a hummingbird, it typically perches to feed. Its distinct call is a sharp “chee-chee,” and its song is a melodious mixture of high-pitched tinkling notes that rise and fall in pitch and tempo for up to five seconds or longer.

Lesser) Double-Collared Sunbird [Cinnyris chalybeus] | Flickr

The Southern Double-Collared Sunbird can often be found in gardens, fynbos, forests, and coastal scrub. Breeding season for this sunbird varies depending on the region but typically occurs between April to December. The nest is made from various plant materials, including grass and lichen, held together with spider webs. It is oval-shaped with a side entrance and is lined with feathers, wool, and plant down.

Photo: Southern Double Collared Sunbird

This stunning bird is a widespread endemic in the region on the eastern side of South Africa, along with part of Swaziland. Although it does not inhabit Lesotho, it is a frequent resident in the Upper Highway area and is not considered endangered. One fascinating aspect of this bird is that its bill differs in shape and size depending on the type of flower it feeds on for nectar. Scientists believe this is due to co-evolution, where two species mutually develop advantageous traits through reciprocal genetic changes.

Juvenile greater double collared sunbird by iandam on DeviantArt

As we explore the breathtaking beauty of the Southern Double-Collared Sunbird, we are reminded of nature’s incredible diversity and the marvels that await us in the woods. These glimmering jewels add a touch of brilliance to the world, captivating birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike with their vibrant colors and enchanting behavior.