Marico sunbird facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Marico sunbird
The male and female at Marakele and Mapungubwe National Parks respectively
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Cinnyris
Species:	mariquensis
Synonyms
Nectarinia mariquensis

The Marico sunbird (Cinnyris mariquensis) is a small, colorful bird. It belongs to the Nectariniidae family, also known as sunbirds. You can find these birds in the woodlands of eastern and southern Africa. They are often seen in the southeastern parts of the continent. The Marico sunbird is not considered endangered. Its population size is not fully known, but it is doing well. These birds live in many protected areas, so they are unlikely to disappear.

Where Do Marico Sunbirds Live?

You can find Marico sunbirds in many African countries. These include Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Why Are Marico Sunbirds Spreading South?

In 2016, people saw Marico sunbirds in new areas of South Africa. These places were southwest of where the birds were thought to live. This suggested that the birds were moving and expanding their home range. They are now spreading into the Northern Cape and Free State provinces in central South Africa.

Scientists have ideas about why these birds are moving. One idea is that droughts or floods make them look for better places to live. Since 2014, a big drought has hit parts of South Africa. This might be why the Marico sunbirds are moving south.

Researchers compared bird maps from 20 years apart. This helped them see how the birds' range has changed. It's interesting that these woodland birds are moving into drier areas. This might mean their bodies and behaviors are helping them adapt to new places.

How Many Marico Sunbirds Are There?

A study in South Africa looked at bird communities. It found that Marico sunbird numbers increased from 5 to 23 between 1998 and 2008. This study was done in Eswatini savannas. The increase was partly due to more shrubs growing.

Shrub growth creates more places for Marico sunbirds to live. They prefer woodlands but can also live in dry savanna areas. We don't know the exact number of Marico sunbirds. However, their population is not considered low enough to be vulnerable. They also live across a very large area.

Where Have Marico Sunbirds Been Recorded?

Marico sunbirds have been recorded in the Kutse Game Reserve. This reserve is in the Kalahari region. They are considered local migrants there. This means they move around within the area. They are less common from October to March.

How Do Marico Sunbirds Fly?

Marico sunbirds like to fly along natural paths. These paths include rivers and valleys. Like other sunbirds, they find lots of food along these routes. They also use towns or suburbs with gardens. These places can be like a second home for them. They offer food and shelter when the birds are traveling.

How Shrub Growth Affects Birds

A study in Eswatini showed that shrub encroachment changes bird populations. Shrub encroachment happens when dry land becomes overgrown with woody plants. These plants take over the savanna. This creates more habitats for birds that like woodlands, like the Marico sunbird. But it takes away living spaces from birds that prefer open savannas.

Gallery

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  Adult male in thornveld, South Africa

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  A pair by Keulemans

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  Juvenile male, Namibia

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  Moulting male in a Schotia tree, South Africa

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  Adult male at mistletoe flowers, Uganda