Biology:Shining sunbird

From HandWiki
Short description: Species of bird

Shining sunbird
Cinnyris habessinicus Keulemans.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Nectariniidae
Genus: Cinnyris
Species:
C. habessinicus
Binomial name
Cinnyris habessinicus
(Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1828)
Synonyms

Nectarinia habessinica

The shining sunbird (Cinnyris habessinicus) is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae.

Shining sunbird female

Subspecies

  • Cinnyris habessinicus habessinicus (Hemprich and Ehrenberg)
  • Cinnyris habessinicus turkanae van Someren
  • Cinnyris habessinicus alter Neumann[2]

Description

Cinnyris habessinicus are highly dimorphic and have three distinct plumages, juvenal, 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 female are mainly gray or brown. These small sunbirds mainly feed on nectar.[2]

Distribution

It is found in Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda.[2]

Habitat

This species prefers rocky or sandy areas and dry river beds with Acacia and Ziziphus trees.[2]

References

External links

Wikidata ☰ Q2228229 entry