Hanging at home. Nests are constructed by female sunbirds. They are compact, purse-shaped shelters suspended from tree branches with a single central entrance. A variety of fibers are used in nest construction, including bark, twigs, dried grass, leaves, vegetable down, plants stems, feathers, and snakeskin. It is tightly bound with spider’s silk, especially at the entrance and where it is attached to a branch.
The nests are sometimes “decorated” with lichen, while some have a “porch” or trailing “beard” of vegetation hanging from the bottom. The inside may be softened with feathers, vegetable down, or even human litter like paper and lightweight plastic.Within this shelter, a female will lay a clutch of oneto twofragile eggs, which she will incubate for about twoweeks.
Nesting instinct. Courtship is an elaborate affair. Male displays are extravagant, with much singing and “dancing” to get a female’s attention. Males may chase down the females until they settle on a perch. In addition to a bright red breast band, flanked by yellow on each side, and iridescent plumage, males also sport “tail streamers” or elongated tail feathers to further entice females. Once she looks his way, he spreads his wings and raises his tail, flicking his wings while wooing her with song. If he’s lucky, she will quiver her wings back at him.
Breeding takes place during the rainy season, so insects will be plentiful to feed the chicks. Males are territorial, chasing away rivals; he may court more than one female at once. The brunt of parental duties rests with the females, who build the nest, incubate eggs, broodthe young and feedthe chicks. The male chimes in with attending the nest and helping feed the chicks.
Tiny hatchlings may have short, gray down and yellow stripes along the jawline.Fledging period is 14 to 18 days, and they gradually venture farther from the nest. Parents continue to feed the youngsters for about two weeks.
Call songs: Beautiful sunbirds vocalizeto others in their social group. Sunbirds in this genus Cinnyris have more complex songs thanother sunbirds’ simple ones. Their varieties of vocalizations indicatearrival at foraging sites anddefense of territories, advertiseto mates, and communicatewith offspring and conspecifics.
Watch out!Larger birds prey on these pint-sized gems, and sunbird eggs may be eaten by snakes.
