Eastern Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris mediocris Scientific name definitions

W & C Kenya and N Tanzania.

Very little information. Observed taking nectar of Impatiens papilionacea, Kniphofia and Leonotis sp. flowers in Kenya. Diet is presumably similar to that of much better-studied and formerly conspecific C. fuelleborni. Observed singly and in pairs; joins mixed-species parties; forages on leaves, nectar-robs plants, and catches flying ants in flight.

Egg-laying recorded in Feb–May and Sept–Nov in W Kenya, with records from Jan, May–Jul and Sept–Dec recorded further E in Kenya as well as Tanzania; specifically Sept–Nov in Arusha (N Tanzania). Male displays pectoral tufts to other males while courting female. Male assists in building nest, a domed pouch made of Usnea lichen and grass strands, lined with down and feathers, suspended 2–2·5 m above ground; same territory of c. 0·2 ha of forest maintained by pair year after year. Clutch 1–2 eggs, pale green-white with indistinct grey-brown marks, size 16–17·5 mm × 10·8–12 mm (n = 6); no information on incubation and nestling periods, but former by female alone. One record of a nest of this being accidentally parasitized by C. venustus.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Common at many Kenyan localities, e.g. in the Cherangani Hills, Mau, Aberdares and Mt Kenya, less on Mt Kulal, Mt Nyiru and the Ndotos, and just one record from Mt Elgon. Common also in limited range in N Tanzania, at the Ngurumans and Loliondo S through Crater Highlands to Mt Hanang, as well as E to Arusha National Park, Mt Neru and Kilimanjaro.