The shining sunbird (Cinnyris habessinicus) is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae.

Shining sunbird
Male in central Ethiopia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Nectariniidae
Genus: Cinnyris
Species:
C. habessinicus
Binomial name
Cinnyris habessinicus
Synonyms

Nectarinia habessinica

Subspecies

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Three subspecies are currently accepted:[2]

  • Cinnyris habessinicus habessinicus (Hemprich and Ehrenberg)
  • Cinnyris habessinicus turkanae van Someren
  • Cinnyris habessinicus alter Neumann

Two additional former subspecies, C. h. hellmaryi and C. h. kinneari, have now been split as a separate species Arabian sunbird C. hellmaryi.[2]

Description

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Cinnyris habessinicus are highly dimorphic and have three distinct plumages, juvenile, immature and adult. Adult males in breeding plumage have brilliant metallic green upperparts and throat, a violet or blue crown, a bright red band across the breast with a narrow line of metallic blue, and blue-black wings and tail. The females are brownish-buff, paler below. These small sunbirds mainly feed on nectar and small insects.[3]

Distribution

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It is found in Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda.[3]

Habitat

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This species prefers rocky or sandy areas and dry river beds with Acacia and Ziziphus trees.[3]

References

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  1. ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Cinnyris habessinicus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T103803926A94555807. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T103803926A94555807.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Gill, Frank; Donsker, David; Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (January 2024). "Dippers, leafbirds, flowerpeckers, sunbirds". IOC World Bird List. v 14.1. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Williams, J. G. (1955). "A systematic revision and natural history of the shining sunbird of Africa". Condor. 57 (5): 249–262. doi:10.2307/1364731. JSTOR 1364731.
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