Birdlife in our village (5)

As indicated previously, during the next few months Philip van den Berg (U34) will enlighten us about the birdlife in our village. He is an acclaimed environmentalist and wildlife photographer.

This month he has supplied text and pictures about Sunbirds (Afr.Suikerbekkies). 

PHILIP VAN DEN BERG writes: At this time last year the Cape Honeysuckle (Afr. Kanferfoelie) shrubs were in flower. There was intense activity by sunbirds coming and going all the time and males aggressively chasing each other. At present the conditions are very much the same. Yet, for quite some time we have not seen or heard any sunbirds. The reason? I think it can be attributed to the good rains we have had lately. There is enough food obtainable in the veld.

Sunbirds are nectar lovers. During the middle part of the day when nectar is flowing, they concentrate on flowers to obtain this excellent source of energy. Their diet also includes some varieties of fruit.  During the morning and late afternoon they forage for insects and spiders, often hovering in the process.

Spiders play an important role in the lives of sunbirds. Not only are they favourite prey items, but their silk is also used in the construction of sunbirds’ nests. The nests consist of a purse of plant material bound with spider web. The nests have a side entrance near the top.

Sunbird nest

Sunbirds are small birds with long, slender, decurved bills and extendable tongues. The sexes are different. The females are mostly drab-coloured while the males are brightly coloured with iridescent green or bronze feathers on the back. Some have extravagant red or purple patches on the underside.

In the area around Renaissance one can expect to see the following species of sunbirds: Amethyst Sunbird (Afr. Swartsuikerbekkie), Marico Sunbird (Afr. Maricosuikerbekkie) and White-bellied Sunbird (Afr. Witpenssuikerbekkie). Of these the Amethyst and White-bellied Sunbirds are quite common in the village. During the previous breeding season, a pair of White-bellied Sunbirds successfully bred at unit 34.

Amethyst Sunbird

Marico Sunbird

White-bellied Sunbird