White bellied sunbird

Introduction: White-bellied sunbirds (Cinnyris talatala) are known to prefer Acacia and bushwillow thickets, semi-arid woodland and savannah and mixed miombo woodland. They also visit gardens and location with a full nectar source, usually singly, in pairs or in small groups.

Distribution: North and north-central Namibia including Etosha National Park, Epupa Falls and other isolated Kaokoland populations and from the Kavango River region extending eastwards throughout the Caprivi Strip to Victoria Falls and south to the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve.
Diet: Forages with other sunbirds to feed on nectar throughout the day. Flower species probed includes wild mango, Cape honeysuckle, weeping bottlebrush, jacaranda, morning glory and a number of Eucalyptus species. Also gleans foliage for small insects such as ants and spiders.

Description: Mainly a shiny, or just green colour with brownish black flight feathers. The bill is long, black and decurved. Talatala refers to the 'greenish colour of the head and mantle'. Song resembles a 'canary-like warble'.
Breeding: Pairs often build the same grass nest bound with spider web in successive years. From 1 to 3 eggs are laid from July to March and incubated for around 14 days.

Size: 10cm.

Weight: 7g.