Area of zoo
Blackburn Pavilion
Enclosure status
Open
IUCN status
Least Concern
Scientific name
Nectarinia coccinigaster
Order
Passeriformes
Type
Birds
Family
Nectariniidae
Region
West and central tropical Africa
Habitat
Wet savannah and forests
Splendid sunbird facts
This nectar-feeding species has specially adapted tongue and bill so that it can easily feed on juicy nectar. Splendid sunbirds can also hover, just like a hummingbird, to access all flowers, although it does like to perch where possible.
What do splendid sunbirds look like?
Male birds can be spotted through their glossy purple feathers and a dark green back. They also possess a crimson breast patch. The female birds are coloured green and brown, with a yellow plumage below.
What do splendid sunbirds eat?
Mostly nectar but they will also eat insects, which they feed to their young.