Nile Valley Sunbird
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Nile Valley Sunbird | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||||||||||||
| Conservation status | ||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Anthreptes metallicus (Lichtenstein, 1823) |
The Nile Valley Sunbird (Anthreptes metallicus) is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family. It is found in Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
[edit] Source
- BirdLife International 2004. Anthreptes metallicus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 25 July 2007.
 This Nectariniidae-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
In February, the male Nle Valley Sunbird assumes his nuptial plumage which he displays in flamboyant fashion. In winter both sexes look alike, tiny, only 9 to 10 cm long, pale grey above and washed-out yellow below, with a long, slender and slightly down-curved bill.
By February the male is transformed into a glossy green extrovert with a brilliant sulfur-yellow belly and long tail streamers that add about an extra five centimetres to his length.
Once transformed, he will be puffing up and parading his newfound finery and courting his duller mate. The display includes a hovering, accompanied by body rocking and wing-whirring.
