Coppery sunbird

Introduction: Coppery sunbirds (Cinnyris cupreus) favour the edges of forest and woodland especially those with waterberries, river bushwillow, white-stem thorn Acacia. Gardens with numerous nectar sources also attracts the coppery sunbird.

Distribution: Uncommon but sightings have been recorded in the eastern Bwabwata National Park, Linyanti Marshes and Victoria Falls.
Diet: Gleans insects from flowers, reeds and shrubs and eats mainly caterpillars and spiders with some nectar.

Description: Cupreus is Latin for coppery, referring to the predominant overall iridescent reddish copper colouring.
Breeding: Females only take up to 14 days to build a pear-shaped nest made from dried grass, plant stems and down and bark, lined with vegetable down. Usually 2 eggs are laid from December to March and incubated for around 14 days by the female only.

Size: 12cm.

Weight: 10g.