Fauna
Bird

Regal Sunbird

Cinnyris regius

Also known as Royal Sunbird

Males flash brilliant metallic green upperparts paired with a striking red-and-yellow chest gradient while foraging in mist-shrouded mountain trees. These active nectar-feeders dart constantly between flowers, hovering briefly or perching to insert their slender curved bills. Females wear far subtler olive-green tones, building purse-shaped hanging nests woven from fine moss and cobwebs.

Nectar-FeederColorfulMontane
Regal Sunbird reference
Aviceda at English Wikipedia (Original text: Tom (talk)) / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyFloral nectar, Spiders, Small insects
Predators
  • Small birds of prey
  • Tree snakes
  • Arboreal mammals
ThreatsHabitat degradation from agricultural expansion and deforestation
HabitatsAlbertine Rift montane forests and forest canopy edges
Life span3 to 6 years
Classification
  1. FamilyNectariniidae
  2. SpeciesCinnyris regius
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Observation: Look along flowering forest edges and canopy clearings early in the morning when feeding activity peaks.
  • Listening: Listen for high-pitched metallic twittering and sharp call notes ringing from upper branches.
  • Disturbance: Maintain a respectful distance to avoid flushing birds during nesting or foraging.
Related species
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