Fraser's Sunbird Deleornis fraseri Scientific name definitions

11·5–12·7 cm; 10·5–15·3g. A large dull green sunbird , with long straight bill curved only at tip. Male nominate race is uniformly bright olive-green above, with upperwing and tail brown, outer webs edged yellow-olive; yellow-olive below, pectoral tufts orange-red with yellow at base, axillaries pale yellow, underwing-coverts greyish-white; iris hazel, pale yellow or white eyering; bill dull brown, base of lower mandible olive-yellow; legs olive, claws yellowish-horn. Distinguished from Cinnyris batesi and Anthreptes seimundi and from female of Anthreptes rectirostris mainly by long straight bill (curved only at very tip) and presence of pectoral tufts. Female is as male, but smaller and without pectoral tufts. Juvenile differs from adult in being all pale olive above, paler below, with yellow wash on belly, darker bill. Race <em>cameroonensis</em> has duller olive-green underparts with less yellow tinge than nominate; <em>idius</em> is smallest and darkest, with darker brown (less green) tail, also iris reddish-brown, upper mandible horn, lower mandible yellowish-horn, and legs greenish-slate with pinkish claws.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Small insects and spiders (Araneae); likely to be occasionally frugivorous, but no records of fruits taken, nor of nectarivory. Forages in groups of up to ten individuals; joins mixed-species parties. Mainly in middle storey .

Song  a series of high-pitched “tsserr-tseep” (or just “tseep”) repeated every second, or “tsserr” followed by 4–5 “tseep” notes, the whole sequence repeated at c. 5-second intervals. Also, “tzuc-zui-zui-zui-zui”. Calls squeaks, e.g. “psi”.