Marico Sunbird

Afrikaans name: Maricosuikerbekkie

Above - Male Marico Sunbird

Photo © Steven Herbert

Cinnyris mariquensis

The Marico Sunbird is an attractive bird that is found in the northern and north-eastern parts of South Africa. Beyond our borders they are found all the way up to Ethiopia.

The male is really attractive and is slightly bigger than the female. She is brownish on the back, has yellowish underparts and is heavily streaked on the underside of the throat.

The Marico Sunbird is fairly common in its preferred habitat which is riverine forest and acacia savanna. It is sometimes found in gardens as well.

Its favourite food is nectar but it also eats spiders and certain insects.

The Marico Sunbird breeds during summer. The female builds the nest which is normally located on a thin branch. She lays 2, or sometimes 3 eggs, and she incubates them for nearly 2 weeks. Both parents feed the chicks.

References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 285

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 36

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 36

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 108

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 260

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 206

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 245

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 71

Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 69

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 200

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 298

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 398

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 398

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 406

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 525

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 537

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 687

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 686

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 378

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 410

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 93

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 320

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 166

BirdLife South Africa

---

Top

List of South African Birds