Scarlet-tufted sunbird
{{Short description|Species of bird}}
{{For|another bird with this common name|Fraser's sunbird}}
{{speciesbox
| image = NectariniaJohnstoniKeulemans.jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Nectarinia
| species = johnstoni
| authority = Shelley, 1885
| synonyms =
}}
The scarlet-tufted sunbird (Nectarinia johnstoni) is a species of bird in the Nectarinia'' of the family Nectariniidae.
It is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. It is also known as the red-tufted sunbird and the scarlet-tufted malachite sunbird.
Description
The scarlet-tufted sunbird is a large sunbird. Adult males have long tails, up to about {{convert|20|cm}} in length, and scarlet {{birdgloss|pectoral tufts}} up to about {{convert|10|mm}} wide.Mann and Cheke, p. 256 These tufts can be seen in flight and when the wings are rearranged, but not in perched birds. The head is black and the upper parts are metallic green, appearing almost black from a distance. The rump is bluish and the wings and tail black, the latter having elongated central feathers. The underparts are iridescent green, fading to bluish-violet on the upper belly and black on the lower belly. The female has brownish-grey upper parts, brownish-black wings and a dark brown tail. The underparts are whitish with dark mottling. The pectoral tufts are smaller than those of the male and may be rather more orangey-red. The juvenile is similar to the adult female but lacks the pectoral tufts.{{cite book|author1=Mann, Clive F.|author2=Cheke, Robert A.|title=Sunbirds: A Guide to the Sunbirds, Flowerpeckers, Spiderhunters and Sugarbirds of the World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AeutEaTRyswC&pg=PA255 |year=2010 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-4081-3568-6 |pages=255–257}}
Distribution and habitat
The scarlet-tufted sunbird is found at very high altitudes in the Afroalpine Rwenzori-Virunga montane moorlands, East African montane moorlands and Viphya Mountains. Its normal range is on several disjunct areas of montane forest and moorland between {{convert|3000|and|4500|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} in altitude, which encompasses a number of zones of vegetation. It is especially associated with giant lobelia, feeding on the nectar and insects on the plants, and using the tall flowerheads as song-posts. At lower altitudes it feeds on Protea and other plants.
Status
The scarlet-tufted sunbird is a common species with a small range, and the population trend is thought to be steady. No particular threats have been identified and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed the bird's conservation status as being of "least concern".
Gallery
File:Nectarinia johnstonii.jpg|On a Lobelia deckenii plant
File:Nectarinia johnstoni mtkenya 2.jpg
File:Nectarinia johnstoni mtkenya 4.jpg
File:Nest of Nectarinia johnsoni mtkenya 2.jpg|Nest
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline|Nectarinia johnstoni|Nectarinia johnstoni}}
- {{Wikispecies-inline|Nectarinia johnstoni|Nectarinia johnstoni}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q56896}}