Neergaard's sunbird facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Neergaard's sunbird |
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Cinnyris
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| Species: |
neergaardi
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endemic range
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The Neergaard's sunbird (Cinnyris neergaardi) is a small, colorful bird. It belongs to the Nectariniidae family, which includes sunbirds and spiderhunters. You can find this bird in Mozambique and South Africa. It lives in warm, dry forests near the coast. Sadly, its home is shrinking, which puts the bird at risk. This sunbird is named after Paul Neergaard, a Danish officer who worked in southern Mozambique.
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What Does Neergaard's Sunbird Look Like?
Neergaard's sunbird is a small bird. It has a beak that is not very long.
Male Sunbirds
The adult male sunbird is very striking. Its head, back, and throat shine with a metallic green color. Its wings are black, and its rump (the lower back) is blue. The tail is a brownish-black. Look closely, and you might see bright yellow tufts of feathers on its chest. It also has a thin blue band around its neck. Below this, its lower chest is a bright scarlet red, and its belly is black.
Female Sunbirds
The adult female looks different from the male. Her head and upper body are greyish-brown. Her rump is olive-brown, and her tail is dark brown. She has a faint pale stripe above her eye. Her underparts are a light greyish-brown.
Eyes, Beak, and Young Birds
Both male and female Neergaard's sunbirds have dark brown eyes. Their beaks and legs are black. Young sunbirds look similar to the adult females.
What Do Neergaard's Sunbirds Eat?
Neergaard's sunbirds search for food high up in the trees. They often feed alongside another bird called the amethyst sunbird. These birds enjoy eating sweet nectar from flowers. They also catch and eat insects and spiders.
Where Do Neergaard's Sunbirds Live?
This sunbird lives in a specific area. You can find it along the coast of Mozambique and South Africa. Its range stretches from Inhambane in southern Mozambique down to Richards Bay in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Different Groups
There are two separate groups of Neergaard's sunbirds in Mozambique. One group lives north of the Limpopo River. The other group lives south of Maputo.
Their Home
These birds prefer dry woodlands, especially those with sandy soil. They also live in coastal scrub areas.
Why Are Neergaard's Sunbirds at Risk?
Neergaard's sunbird has a small population and lives in a limited area. Even though it is common in some places, its numbers are decreasing.
Losing Their Homes
The main reason for this decline is habitat destruction. People are clearing the dry woodlands and coastal scrub where these birds live. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed Neergaard's sunbird as "near threatened." This means they are at risk of becoming endangered if their habitat continues to shrink.
