Common Sunbird-Asity Neodrepanis coruscans Scientific name definitions

9·5–10·5 cm. Tiny, short-tailed, with remarkably long and decurved bill, short legs. Adult male breeding has bright blue head with large, mostly sky-blue wattle  around eye, orbital ring green, and a bright green line extending from the wattle along base of bill below nostrils, bright blue above nostrils; upperparts dark blue, iridescent blue fringes on feathers of back, inner wing-coverts and rump; primaries narrowly fringed yellow; underparts  dull yellow with olive wash or streaking; eyes brown; bill blackish; legs and feet dark brown. Non-breeding male is olive-green on head and back (often some iridescent blue feathers on rump), often with vestigial bright blue eye wattle; darker tertials and wing feathers edged paler green; underparts dull yellow, streaked olive, somewhat brighter yellow on flanks; bare parts as breeding male. Female similar to non-breeding male, but lacks vestigial wattle and blue rump feathering, and even duller below, brightest on flanks, suffused with olive on breast. Juvenile has slight pale fringes on wing-coverts, initially has pale pink base of bill.

E Madagascar, from at least Tsaratanana Massif and E slopes of Manongarivo in N, S to Andohahela and Tsitongambarika.

Canopy and subcanopy of primary mid-elevation and lower montane rainforest. Sea-level to c. 1500 m, locally to 1800 m; scarce or often absent below 400 m.

Unclear; some evidence of seasonal presence in high-plateau forests at Ambohitantely. Otherwise, seems present at most sites throughout year, although short movements in relation to nectar abundance could be expected.

Mostly nectar , from a wide range of pink  , red  and white flowers, including Bakerella, Impatiens humblotiana, Hedy­chium and Aframomum, many species of Melastomataceae (e.g. Gravesia, Medinilla) and many of Rubiaceae (e.g. Psychotria, Mussaenda, Gaertnera); small fruits and some orchids (Lipa­ris) may be exploited. Also insects, either caught in aerial sallies or removed from dead leaf clumps or from crevices. Joins mixed-species flocks, especially during Jun–Sept.

Single quiet, squeaking notes  ; also very rapidly repeated series of hisses  , c. 10–15 notes, sometimes grading into more widely spaced series.

Little known. Nest-building recorded in Aug–Jan. Possibly polygynous. Displays not documented. Female builds suspended ovoid nest with entrance “porch”, made of moss, leaf strips and few twigs, c. 5 m from ground in subcanopy. Clutch 2 eggs; chicks fed by both sexes.

Not globally threatened. Fairly common and widespread. Although restricted to primary forest at middle and lower montane levels, this habitat is the most abundant natural formation in Madagascar. Occurs in several protected areas, e.g. Ranomafana National Park, Anjanaharibe-sud Special Reserve, and Marojejy Strict Nature Reserve.