Southern Double-collared Sunbird

Identification

The southern double-collared sunbird is a small passerine, measuring just 12 cm in length. The adult male is unmistakable: it displays a glossy, metallic green head, throat, upper breast and back, with a brilliant red band across the chest separated from the green breast by a narrow metallic blue band. The rest of the underparts are whitish. When displaying, distinctive yellow feather tufts become visible on the shoulders. Like all sunbirds, it has a long, decurved bill, which is black, as are the legs and feet; the eye is dark brown. Males can be distinguished from the similar greater double-collared sunbird by their smaller size, narrower red chest band and shorter bill.

Females and juveniles are more subdued in plumage, with brown upperparts and yellowish-grey underparts. Females are greyer below than female orange-breasted sunbirds, and darker below than female dusky sunbirds, which can help with identification in the field.

Range & Habitat

The southern double-collared sunbird breeds in southern Africa, where it is mainly resident, though populations in the north-east of its range are partially migratory. The species is common in a variety of habitats including gardens, fynbos, forests and coastal scrub, making it accessible to travellers across different landscape types.

Breeding occurs from April to December, depending on the region. The bird constructs a distinctive closed oval nest from grass, lichen and other plant material, bound together with spider webs. The nest features a side entrance which sometimes has a small porch, and is lined with wool, plant down and feathers.

Behaviour & Diet

The southern double-collared sunbird is usually encountered singly or in small groups. It displays the characteristic fast, direct flight typical of sunbirds on their short wings. The bird lives principally on nectar from flowers, but supplements its diet with some fruit and, particularly when feeding young, insects and spiders. It can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but typically prefers to perch while feeding.

The bird's call is a hard chee-chee, while its song is a high-pitched jumble of tinkling notes that rises and falls in pitch and tempo, usually lasting 3–5 seconds or more, and often audible in suitable habitats.

Best Time & Places to See It

The breeding season from April to December offers the best opportunity to see southern double-collared sunbirds, particularly when males are actively singing and displaying. The species' preference for gardens, fynbos, forests and coastal scrub means it can be encountered in a range of accessible locations across southern Africa, including in and around gardens where flowering plants are abundant.

Photography Tips

The male's brilliant metallic green and red plumage makes it a visually striking subject, particularly in good light where the iridescent qualities of the head and breast are most evident. The bird's habit of usually perching to feed offers opportunities for more controlled photography than hovering shots. Look for the distinctive yellow shoulder tufts during display, which add additional visual interest. The small size and fast, direct flight require a fast shutter speed and good tracking skills; however, the bird's tendency to return to favoured feeding perches can reward patient photographers waiting at productive flowering plants.