Shining sunbird | |
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Male in central Ethiopia | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Family: | Nectariniidae |
Genus: | Cinnyris |
Species: | C. habessinicus
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Binomial name | |
Cinnyris habessinicus | |
Synonyms | |
Nectarinia habessinica |
The shining sunbird (Cinnyris habessinicus) is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae.
Three subspecies are currently accepted:[2]
Two additional former subspecies, C. h. hellmaryi and C. h. kinneari, have now been split as a separate species Arabian sunbird C. hellmaryi.[2]
Cinnyris habessinicus are highly dimorphic and have 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]
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]