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Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird

Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird

Anthreptes orientalis

Photo © Seig

Photo © Seig — CC BY 4.0 — Source: iNaturalist #37416445

ABOUT

The eastern violet-backed sunbird (Anthreptes orientalis), also known as the Kenya violet-backed sunbird, is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae. It is found in arid savanna of East Africa, ranging from Djibouti in north to Tanzania in south. It is part of the violet-backed sunbird superspecies.

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Amboseli National Park

Etonet/Lenkism ward·Kenya

+501 birds+43 mammals

Arusha National Park

+555 birds+16 mammals

Awash National Park

Didiga·Ethiopia

+473 birds+23 mammals

Bale Mountains National Park

+397 birds+20 mammals

Kidepo Valley National Park

+478 birds+24 mammals

Lake Manyara National Park

+575 birds+37 mammals

Mago National Park

+128 birds+3 mammals

Meru National Park

Igembe Central·Kenya

+408 birds+38 mammals

Mkomazi National Park

Gonja·Tanzania

+430 birds+38 mammals

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Biological profile

Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird

A compact view of how this species lives, moves and responds to its environment.

Call · 0:10 © Frank shirima CC BY-SA 4.0 · xeno-canto

The species at a glance

Select a card to explore the details.

Movement

Does it remain in the same area?: It generally remains in the same region
How does it move?: Local Ranging
Can its movements be anticipated?: Yes, its movements tend to repeat
Do its movements change with the seasons?: No, they are not tied to one season
Do all populations follow the same calendar?: Yes, broadly speaking

Activity

When is it active?: Mainly active by day
Does it have inactive periods?: No known inactive period

How to detect it

Is it easy to find?: It takes some patience
How can you detect it?: AcousticVisual
Does it tend to hide?: It hides in some situations
Do you need a specific technique?: Usually not
Which seasonal signs help?: Vocal Display

Habitat

Which environment does it live in?: Terrestrial
Which places does it prefer?: Woodland
Can it adapt to different habitats?: It tolerates some variety of habitats
At what level of the habitat does it move?: CanopyUnderstory

Feeding

What kind of food does it eat?: InsectivoreNectarivore
How does it get its food?: Generalist SearchGleaning

Social life

Does it usually live alone or in a group?: Its social organisation varies
Does it gather at certain times?: It does not usually gather seasonally

Reproduction

How does it breed?: Territorial
Where does it breed?: ShrubTree
Key moments in its annual cycle: Egg Laying · Annual Cycle Consistent

Spatial ecology

Does it defend a territory?: Yes, it defends a territory
How far does it usually travel?: Within a local area
In which major regions does it live?: Afrotropical

Environmental response

Does its calendar change from place to place?: It changes little between places

Sensitivity

Is it affected by human disturbance?: Observe it calmly and keep your distance
When does it need the most space?: Nest

Global profile. Local behaviour and timing may vary.

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