Splendid Sunbird

The Splendid Sunbird (Cinnyris coccinigastrus) is a sunbird. The sunbirds are a small group of old-world passerine birds that mostly eat nectar, though they will occasionally eat insects, especially while feeding their young. On short wings, they fly swiftly and directly. While most species are capable of sucking nectar while hovering like hummingbirds, they typically perch to eat most of the time. The splendid sunbird breeds in the west and central tropical Africa. In an oval-hung nest in a tree, one or two eggs are placed. Within its range, it is a seasonal migratory.

The 15 cm long splendid sunbirds have medium-length thin down-curved bills and brush-tipped tubular tongues, both nectar-eating adaptations. The adult male has a dark green back and wing bar, and a crimson breast patch, and is primarily glossy purple in color. The female is yellowish below and greenish-brown above. This species is a common breeder in wet savannah and woodland with oil palms, Elaeis guineensis. Incisions made in the trunk of the latter produce sap, which is used to manufacture palm wine.