Malachite Sunbird

The Malachite Sunbird is one of the largest and most striking sunbirds of Africa, found in mountainous and highland regions from Ethiopia south to the Cape of South Africa. Breeding males are entirely iridescent metallic green, with the color shifting between emerald and gold-green depending on the light, and sport elongated central tail feathers that add considerably to their length.

Outside the breeding season, males molt into an eclipse plumage that is largely dull brown-olive with a mix of scattered iridescent green feathers, resembling the female but retaining patches of metallic color. Females are dull greyish-olive above and yellowish below, streaked, and lack tail streamers.

The species is strongly associated with flowering plants such as Proteas, Aloes, and Leonotis, which provide much of its nectar diet.

Key field marks

• Breeding male: overall iridescent metallic green, large size for a sunbird, and long central tail streamers
• Non-breeding (eclipse) male: dull brownish-olive with patches of retained green iridescence
• Female: greyish-olive above, yellowish and streaked below, no tail streamers
• Long, slender, strongly decurved bill typical of sunbirds

Similar species

• Bronzy Sunbird is similar in size and shape but shows bronzy-purple rather than pure green iridescence and a different tail shape.
• Smaller green sunbirds, such as Greater Double-collared Sunbird, lack the large size and elongated tail streamers of the breeding male Malachite Sunbird.
• Female and eclipse male can be confused with other large brownish sunbirds; range, elevation, and habitat (open highland scrub) help narrow identification.

Range

Found in eastern and southern Africa, from Ethiopia and South Sudan south through Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and into South Africa, including the Cape region.

Habitat

Inhabits Afromontane grassland, moorland, fynbos, and highland scrub, especially areas with abundant flowering plants such as Proteas and Aloes, typically at higher elevations than many other sunbird species.

Movements

Largely resident, though it may make local altitudinal movements or shift locally in response to the flowering season of key nectar plants.

Behavior

Often seen perched conspicuously on tall flower stalks or shrubs, defending nectar-rich territories, especially around stands of Protea or Aloe in bloom. Can be aggressive toward other nectar feeders competing for the same food source.

Voice

Gives a bright, high-pitched, twittering song along with sharp metallic chip calls, often delivered from an exposed perch.

Feeding

Feeds primarily on nectar taken from tubular flowers using its long, curved bill and brush-tipped tongue, and also catches small insects and spiders, especially for feeding young.

Nesting and breeding

Builds an oval, domed nest of grass, plant down, and spider web, usually suspended from a shrub or low tree branch, with a side entrance often shaded by an overhanging hood. The female typically builds the nest and incubates the eggs, while breeding timing often aligns with peak flowering of key nectar sources.