Amethyst Sunbird

The Amethyst Sunbird, or Black Sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina), is a small, vibrant passerine bird belonging to the Nectariniidae family. Exhibiting sexual dimorphism, the male is adorned with iridescent plumage, while the female is more subdued in coloration.

Identification Tips

Males of the species can be identified by their glossy purple throat and upper breast, which glisten like amethysts in the sunlight. Females, on the other hand, are generally darker from throat to belly. The bill is heavy in the nominate race, with males displaying metallic purple tail coverts. In contrast, the C. a. kirkii race has a finer bill, lighter underparts in females, and males with dark brown tail coverts.

Habitat

Amethyst Sunbirds are found in a variety of well-watered habitats, including woodlands, mesic savannas, forest edges, and increasingly in suburban gardens.

Distribution

This species is native to the Afrotropics, predominantly south of the equator, with a range that includes Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Behaviour

Amethyst Sunbirds are typically observed singly or in pairs, but may gather in larger numbers at favored flowering trees. They exhibit territorial aggression towards other sunbird species. During courtship, males perform a distinctive display of wing fluttering and dropping to attract females.

Song & Calls

The complex song of the Amethyst Sunbird is a loud, sustained twittering, which can be heard echoing through their habitats.

Breeding

Breeding pairs are widely spaced, with the female solely responsible for nest construction. Nests are often located near human activity and are crafted from fine grass stems and cobwebs, adorned with lichens or other debris. Two speckled eggs are typical per clutch, with the possibility of multiple clutches in a single season. Nests may be parasitized by species such as the Green-backed Honeybird and Klaas's Cuckoo.

Similar Species

The Amethyst Sunbird can be confused with other sunbird species, but its distinctive coloration and behavior during the breeding season can aid in identification.

Diet and Feeding

Their diet consists of emergent termites, spiders, and nectar, which they forage for in their diverse habitats.

Conservation Status

The Amethyst Sunbird is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. However, local declines have been noted due to habitat fragmentation, particularly on the Mashonaland plateau where the race kirkii has been impacted by the loss of miombo woodlands.

Races

There are between three and eleven races proposed, with variations in bill size, plumage coloration, and distribution. Some of these races include C. a. amethystina, C. a. kirkii, C. a. kalckreuthi, C. a. deminuta, C. a. doggetti, and C. a. adjuncta, each with distinct characteristics and ranges.