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Birdwatching in Africa - Nile Valley Sunbird, Hedydipna metallica


The Nile Valley Sunbird (Hedydipna metallica) is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae. It is found in Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, and Yemen.

In February, the male Nile Valley sunbird assumes his nuptial plumage which he displays in flamboyant fashion. In winter both sexes look alike, tiny, only 9 to 10 cm long, pale grey above and washed-out yellow below, with a long, slender and slightly down-curved bill.

By February the male is transformed into a glossy green extrovert with a brilliant sulfur-yellow belly and long tail streamers that add about an extra five centimetres to his length.

Once transformed, he will be puffing up and parading his newfound finery and courting his duller mate. The display includes a hovering, accompanied by body rocking and wing-whirring.

Range map from www.oiseaux.net

Range map
Range map from www.oiseaux.net - Ornithological Portal Oiseaux.net
www.oiseaux.net is one of those MUST visit pages if you're in to bird watching. You can find just about everything there


Length: 9 - 17 cm
Wingspan:
Weight:
Longevity:
Distinctive Feature

Similar Species



From opus at www.birdforum.net the forum for wild birds and birding.
Female / Male



From opus at www.birdforum.net the forum for wild birds and birding.


Listen to the Nile Valley Sunbird

Remarks from the Recordist

Feeding on acacia flowers.


www.xeno-canto.org


Conservation status
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2012.



From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

www.birdforum.net


Sighted: 8 September 2018 (Date of first photo that I could use)
Location: Around Acacias Hotel in Djibouti, Djibouti


Nile Valley Sunbird, Hedydipna metallica
Juvenile male Nile Valley Sunbird, Hedydipna metallica - 8 September 2018 - Around Acacias Hotel in Djibouti, Djibouti

Nile Valley Sunbird, Hedydipna metallica
Female Nile Valley Sunbird, Hedydipna metallica - 24 October 2019 - Desert between Awash and Dulecha, Ethiopia

Nile Valley Sunbird, Hedydipna metallica
Male Nile Valley Sunbird, Hedydipna metallica - 24 October 2019 - Desert between Awash and Dulecha, Ethiopia




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