Male © peter lankhorst
Male © Nik Borrow
Male © Michael Ortner

Shelley's Sunbird Cinnyris shelleyi

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Identification

POWERED BY MERLIN

The breeding male has an iridescent green hood and rump, a red breast band, and black underparts. The underparts are grayish in non-breeding plumage. The female has streaking on the underparts. Found in miombo and other types of lush woodland, thick scrub, and gardens. The song is a typical sunbird fast jumble, and the most common call is a repeated “tyimp.” Breeding male similar to Marico and Purple-banded Sunbirds, but has a pure red rather than maroon breast band. Non-breeding male resembles Miombo Double-collared Sunbird, but has a green rather than blue rump.

POWERED BY MERLIN