Come the Sunbirds

We all have our own silly obsessions and vices. For Juliet, she likes word games on her mobile phone… For me it’s one of those card games on the computer... I win 98% of the time, spending anywhere between five minutes to 30 minutes a game...a silly obsession that leads to my confession. These diversions are not necessarily destructive, but they can sure be a significant waste of time… yes, it can be argued that they are “great exercise” for the mind … But time on this planet is fleeting… and procrastination is so easy… Especially looking at a blank page…

It’s time to take a walk…

Outside…

East Africa has two distinct rainy seasons. The short rains fall during the months of November and December. The long rains which are upon us today. Usually, starting in March and continuing through June, the long rains did not start this year until mid-April lasting until a shallow pond sits on our walking field where parched grass existed.

Maybe because of climate change, it has been unusually dry over the last several years with the threat of long-term draught, crop failure and famine. This has warranted many to pray vigorously for rain… and since Mid-April… rain… and more rain. With this good fortune however, God must have a lot of patience with our confused human souls… because now, with the rains, and the flooding, and the need for crops to dry out... now all pray for the rains to stop…. How fickle we humans are…

Everything is soggy and green. Like spring in the Pacific Northwest. Flowers and fruit are abundant again and so are the birds! When it is not raining, the amount of activity outside our front door is wonderous and exciting! We still can find days of sun to enjoy cuisine on our porch courtesy of shamba grown vegetables and fruit while viewing bird life from the front row.

When in bloom the Bottlebrush attracts many diverse species of birds. Most notably, Sunbirds. These small colorful birds remind us of the hummingbirds of North America, hovering and spinning in oddball directions. However, found mostly along and south of the equator, are distinct with long, thin, curved beaks and flocking behaviors not common with the solitary hummingbird. In addition, hummingbirds will hover as they feed exclusively on nectar from flowers and trees whereas most sunbirds will perch, sometimes upside down, when eating either nectar or several types of insects.

When it blooms with flowers and birds, we forget our mobile addictions for a while, instead spending hours watching Nature’s entertainment devise in real time….

The Beautiful Sunbird (Cinnyris pulchellus) is its name! These shy sunbirds come and go seasonally several times a year as the arid lands surrounding Nairobi dry. They are a favorite of our family when they are present... But you must be patient to photograph one because it is often hiding in the shadows bouncing from branch to branch. Like most sunbirds, their thin, curved beak accommodates a protruding tubular tongue with brush-like tips that suck nectar deep from the flower.

When the male Beautiful Sunbird is still not a mature breeding adult, they are ragged with molting feathers preparing to attract females. However iridescent turquoise still shines bright with splotchy neon green and silver against the Crimson Bottlebrush.

This is the female Beautiful Sunbird. A drab colored bird that is almost indistinguishable from other female sunbird species. To tell female species from one to another, we focus on the face, and the under-belly patterns. But the typical manner we tell one species female from the other is to watch which males the seem to be spending the most time with... Which doesn't mean we are right!

The gregarious Bronze Sunbird (Nectarinia kilimensis) is a common resident of our Bottlebrush and Compound. Larger than most other sunbirds, When the aggressive male arrives other birds will move on to avoid him. We have even seen them challenge an occasional predator, such as the African Harrier-hawk much like crows and jays do throughout the world.

In the shadows of the eucalyptus or the silhouetted against the African sun, the large Bronze or "Bronzy" may look jet black. However, in a flash the sun reveals brilliant colors of metallic bronze-green and copper. Another distinguishing feature is the long center-tail feathers featured on the breeding males.

These birds are not afraid of us and will often perch on the top of the lower trees calling out in loud obnoxious tones with a complexity of different sounds throughout most of the day.

An omnivore, the "Bronzy" feeds on the nectar of our compound flowers as well as various insects and spiders, making it a favorite for us as there is no shortage of bugs in the villa.

Like many other sunbirds, the female Bronzy remains understated with cream white and drab olive brown plumage. However, the drab colored female is also known for making itself known to the world with harsh, loud scratchy calls and warbles throughout the day.

Smaller than the Bronzy, the Collared Sunbird (Hedydipna collaris) breeding male has one thin blue or purple band across the chest separating their green heads and yellow belly, distinguishing it from other sunbirds in Kenya. Here two males forage for spiders and other insects alongside our shamba garden boxwood hedge.

These sunbirds are widespread throughout Kenya, although they can be shy. We will often recognize other species before we see this one. Surprisingly, we will recognize the species when we see the first female Collared Sunbird. Unlike the consistent olive drab head and wings of most other female sunbirds, the Collared female presents a vivid green head as the male with a bright yellow neck and chest instead of the thin collar.

The female Collared Sunbird enjoys the sticky nector from the Crimson Bottlebrush.

Another Collared female. Maybe because these females are so noticeable, we tend to see them more than the males!

The Green-headed Sunbird (Cyanomitra verticalis) also displays an iridescent green head with tinges of vivid blue in the right light. but unlike many of females from other species, this sunbird's back and wing olive plumage is much more vivid. Sitting in the Bottlebrush like a single olive in a jar full of pimentos!

However, with these colors this sunbird species hides well withing the shadows of the trees. It is also a quiet bird most of the time only blurting explosive chits occasionally. We will only find this one when we are already looking for other species.

The Northern Double-collared Sunbird (Cinnyris reichenowl) has two bands across the chest. thin, usually purple, or dark blue below the iridescent green-blue head and a broad bright crimson band across the chest. They are about the same size as the Collared Sunbird.

The Northern is one of at least six double-collared sunbirds found in East Africa. It will visit the Bottlebrush, however, we will more likely find it further away on other trees and bushes throughout the compound. Look closely at this photo below to find the Northern Double-collared blending in with the flowers and branches of the tree!

When captured out in the sun, the color, these male birds stand out as a beacon, attempting to lure the females for mating.

Like females of other sunbird species, the Northern Double colored maintains a drab olive to beige appearance. We have read that this helps them camouflage better as they are sitting with the nest.

One male that can be mistaken as a female of another species is the Olive Sunbird (Cyanomitra olivacea). This bird is larger with a long stout beak. Slightly yellow tufts at the shoulder of the wing help identify it. This bird is taking flight from the beautiful and poisonous Lantana shrub which blooms on and off year-round.

We have more sunbirds and other birds to share along with other stories that we hope you will enjoy... Our great and unlikely adventure with love and joy has been one that we have chosen to embrace together. Yet, this adventure wasn’t planned as we thought we could plan our lives. It is remarkably unexpected! Scary as it is exciting! As this life journey continues, our destinations are clear as our future remains obscure… Witnesses of hope with blessings found in the mundane of everyday life… By embracing this journey with faith, we have found that every day can be a Great Day!

I think I'll now go play another computer game… or two… or….