The orange-breasted sunbird (Anthobaphes violacea) is a small, highly specialized passerine bird largely centered in the Western Cape of South Africa, with its range extending slightly into the western edge of the Eastern Cape. This species exhibits striking sexual dimorphism, making adults easy to distinguish. The adult male is a spectacular sight, boasting a metallic green head and throat, a violet breast band, and a fiery orange chest that fades into a bright yellow belly, alongside elongated central tail feathers. Conversely, the adult female is much duller, wrapped in a camouflaging olive-green and yellowish-grey plumage. Juvenile males initially look like females but gradually acquire their adult plumage through successive molts.
Both sexes share a long, black, downward-curved bill perfectly designed to probe deeply into tubular flowers.
As a near-endemic of the unique Fynbos biome, these active birds are common residents of mountain fynbos, coastal scrub, and cultivated areas like the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, though occasional vagrants are recorded in neighboring arid areas. They exhibit altitudinal migration, moving up mountain slopes during the summer and descending into valleys in winter to track blooming patterns. As specialized nectarivores, their diet relies heavily on the nectar of endemic Erica and Protea species, making them vital pollinators for this ecosystem. To supplement their diet with protein, especially when raising young, they also actively hawk for tiny insects and spiders.
• Orange-breasted sunbird
• Suimanga pechinaranja, nectarina de pecho anaranjado
• Oranjeborssuikerbekkie
Scientific classification:
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Aves
Order:Passeriformes
Family:Nectariniidae
Genus:Anthobaphes
Species:A. violacea
Immature male (transitional plumage)
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town, South Africa
Camera: Canon EOS 77D / 9000D
Lens: Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary
Capture Information:
Focal Length: 600.0 mm
Shutter Speed: 1/500
Aperture: f/6.3
ISO: 400
Photo Taken: March 19, 2018
High resolution
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