Balfour's Sunbird

Chalcomitra balfouri

Balfour's Sunbird (Chalcomitra balfouri) is a small, strikingly colored bird found in the woodlands and savannas of eastern Africa. The male sports iridescent green and blue plumage on its upperparts, with a bright red patch on the throat, while the female has more subdued olive-green plumage. These sunbirds are known for their acrobatic flight and their preference for nectar, which they obtain from various flowering plants. They also feed on insects and spiders. Balfour's Sunbirds are often seen flitting among the foliage, emitting a distinctive metallic chirping call. They construct intricate, hanging, purse-shaped nests using grass, leaves, and spider webs. Although not currently considered threatened, habitat loss and degradation could pose future challenges for this species.

Habitat: Woodlands and savannas of eastern Africa