Kingdom Animalia Class Aves Family Nectariniidae Scientific name Cinnyris neergardi | Phylum Chordata Order Passeriformes Genus Cinnyris Rank Species | |
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Similar Ursula's sunbird, Oustalet's sunbird, Shelley's sunbird, Loveridge's sunbird, Johanna's sunbird | ||
The Neergaard's sunbird (Cinnyris neergardi) is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family. It is found in Mozambique and South Africa. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests near the coast where it is threatened by habitat loss.
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Description
The Neergaard's sunbird is a small species with a relatively short beak. The adult male has a metallic green head, back and throat, black wings, a blue rump and a brownish-black tail. It has yellow pectoral tufts, a narrow blue collar, a scarlet lower breast and a black belly. The adult female has a greyish-brown head and upper parts, an olive-brown rump and dark brown tail. There is a pale supercilium over the eye and the underparts are pale greyish brown. The eyes in both sexes are dark brown and the beak and legs are black. The juvenile resembles the female.
Ecology
The Neergaard's sunbird feeds in the canopy, often in the company of the amethyst sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina). It feeds on nectar, insects and spiders.
Status
The Neergaard's sunbird has a limited range and a moderately small population. It is restricted to the coastal belt of Mozambique and South Africa between Inhambane in southern Mozambique and Richards Bay in northern KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. There are two separate populations in Mozambique, one to the north of the Limpopo River and one to the south of Maputo. Its habitat is dry woodland, especially on sandy soil, and coastal scrub. Although this bird is common at some of the locations at which it occurs, the population is thought to be in decline because of habitat destruction, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as "near threatened".