The Jewel of the Fynbos: The Orange-breasted Sunbird

If the Cape Floral Kingdom had a crown, the Orange-breasted Sunbird (Anthobaphes violacea) would be its dazzling jewel. This stunning little bird, found only in South Africa, is a true fynbos specialist—draped in iridescent greens, fiery oranges, and golden yellows, it flits through the landscape like a living ember. But beyond its beauty, this sunbird holds a fascinating place within its family and ecosystem.

A Sunbird Like No Other

Sunbirds, often compared to the hummingbirds of the Americas, are known for their shimmering plumage and nectar-loving ways. But the Orange-breasted Sunbird stands out even among its dazzling counterparts. Unlike many sunbirds that have wide distributions across Africa and Asia, this species is an endemic specialist—it is found only in the Western and Eastern Cape of South Africa, making it uniquely tied to the region’s iconic fynbos biome.

While other sunbirds might venture into gardens and urban parks, the Orange-breasted Sunbird stays loyal to the wild, thriving in the heath-like vegetation of the fynbos. Its curved bill is perfectly adapted for sipping nectar from tubular Protea and Erica flowers, acting as an essential pollinator for these plants.

Life in the Fynbos: More Than Just a Pretty Face

If you’ve ever watched an Orange-breasted Sunbird in action, you’ll know that it’s not just about looking good—it’s an acrobat of the skies! Males put on spectacular aerial displays, flashing their jewel-toned chests to attract a mate. And despite their small size, they are fiercely territorial, often chasing off much larger birds that dare to intrude on their nectar-rich feeding grounds.

The females, though less flamboyant in appearance, play an equally important role. They weave intricate, oval-shaped nests from fine plant fibers and spiderwebs, skilfully hidden among the dense vegetation. If you’re lucky enough to spot one, take a quiet moment to appreciate the delicate craftsmanship that goes into creating a safe haven for the next generation. I found a recent nest in my backyard and was so well camouflaged that to the naked eye it was virtually impossible to see.

Why This Bird Needs Our Attention

While the Orange-breasted Sunbird is not currently endangered, its future is closely tied to the survival of the fynbos. With habitat loss due to urban expansion, agriculture, and invasive species, this bird’s specialized existence makes it vulnerable to environmental changes. Wildfires, often caused by human activity, are one of the largest threats, as entire mountain landscapes are destroyed. Protecting fynbos ecosystems isn’t just about preserving plants—it’s about ensuring that species like the Orange-breasted Sunbird continue to thrive. We can help by planting more indigenous plants in our gardens, especially in areas close to mountainous fynbos habitats.

Bringing the Wild Closer to Home

Want to catch a glimpse of this sunbird without trekking into the mountains? If you live in the Western Cape, planting indigenous nectar-rich flowers like Proteas, Ericas, and Aloes in your garden can help attract these birds. And if you’re a photographer, prepare for a challenge—capturing the brilliance of this fast-moving gem requires patience and quick reflexes!

The Orange-breasted Sunbird is more than just a pretty bird—it’s a symbol of South Africa’s rich biodiversity and a reminder of the delicate balance within nature. Whether you see one in the wild or from the comfort of your own backyard, it’s impossible not to be enchanted by this fynbos jewel.

Sugar Water Bird Feeders

An Orange-breasted Sunbird, whom I now affectionately refer to as THE DON, and his gorgeous petite life mate took up residency a few years ago. He has since become the BOSS OF ALL BOSSES, deciding who gets to drink and who doesn’t.

Debate Surrounding Garden Bird Feeders – Is Supplementary Feeding Okay?

Camps are divided on whether or not to introduce garden bird feeders.

Arguments Against Supplementary Feeding

Camp A argues that supplementary feeding can have adverse effects on birds, impacting their health and increasing the risk of disease transmission. It can also alter their natural behaviour, making them more vulnerable to predation. When birds gather at feeders, they may let their guard down, making them easier targets for predators.

Arguments in Favour of Supplementary Feeding

Camp B, on the other hand, highlights the diminishing food resources caused by urbanization and environmental events such as wildfires. These disasters can destroy the vegetation birds and other wildlife rely on, with recovery taking many years. Given that many wildfires are caused by human negligence or arson, this camp believes that humans should have a responsibility to help.

Both perspectives are valid, and therefore, if you choose to introduce bird feeders, it should be done responsibly, addressing all potential concerns raised by Camp A. For instance, if you work long hours and cannot maintain feeder hygiene, or if your garden lacks safe protection against predators, has roaming pets in the area, it would be better to abstain for the birds sake.

Conduct comprehensive research and assess your specific environmental conditions before introducing feeders.

Responsible Feeding Practices

Before introducing feeders, conduct a thorough analysis based on your particular circumstances. Hygiene is critical—just as we clean our pets’ bowls daily, bird feeders must also be cleaned regularly. Sick birds struggle to recover, and unhygienic feeders can lead to devastating consequences. Sugar water ferments quickly, especially in warm weather, leading to bacterial and fungal growth. Mould can produce toxins harmful to birds, potentially causing infections like candidiasis, which affects their digestive system. Please ensure the bottles are sterilised every time and sugar water older than 2 days be thrown away and replaced with a fresh batch.

Placement Considerations:

  • Ensure feeders are well out of reach of domestic pets.
  • Avoid placing them in open areas that make birds easy prey for ground and aerial predators.
  • I have sunbirds in my area and have placed sugar water bottles on my courtyard wall, two meters off the ground and out of sight from aerial predators.

When done correctly—with the right foods, proper hygiene, and safe placement—bird feeders and baths can support wildlife while offering a wonderful way to observe and bond with birds. However, the best way to assist birds naturally is by planting indigenous trees and shrubs that serve as natural food sources.

In my region, I have planted more Wild Dagga (Leonotis leonurus) and Pig’s Ear (Cotyledon orbiculata), which I observed being favoured by the sunbirds while writing my book on the Malachite Sunbird family.

The Role of Supplementary Feeding

Due to wildfires that have completely devastated the mountain vegetation, I increased the number of nectar bottles. Seeing the charred landscape and the loss of natural food sources was heartbreaking. After years of observing sunbirds using the bottles, I have found it reassuring that they rely on sugar water only as a supplementary food source, not a primary one. Even the young fledglings that have used the feeders do not depend on them solely; most of their time is spent in the garden, where their parents teach them how to extract natural nectar from the indigenous plants.

During prolonged rain, cold weather, or increase in mountain fires the birds frequent the bottles more often. Sometimes I refill the bottles up to four times a day to help them. But when conditions improve, the birds disappear, and the bottles remain untouched for long periods at a time. Sunbirds are nomadic doing localised migration and follow natural food resources.

Thus, if you find a rush of sunbirds at your nectar feeder one day and none the next few weeks, don’t be discouraged—this is simply their natural foraging pattern.

Nectar Bottle Recipe & Best Practices

  1. Boil tap water to remove any chemical contaminants.
  2. Mix with white sugar in a 1:5 ratio (1 part sugar to 5 parts water).
  3. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature before filling and placing the feeder.
  4. Store extra nectar in the fridge if frequent replenishing is required—birds love cool water!

Important Guidelines:

  • Only use white sugar. Do not use brown sugar (contains molasses, which is difficult for birds to digest) or honey (contains microorganisms that can make birds sick).
  • Never use artificial red food dye. Some suggest beetroot juice, but no studies confirm its safety. I have found it best not to use any colourants whatsoever. The birds will find the water soon enough if it is consistently available.
  • To attract birds safely, paint the outside of the feeder red or attach a red/orange/yellow ribbon nearby. The red nozzles on the bottles work just fine!

Initially, I placed my nectar bottle on the washing line, but due to excessive midday heat, I had to continually bring it indoors to cool off. I have now found a more suitable shaded spot where the birds can drink safely and comfortably. Attracting birds to the feeder required minimal effort – just patience and consistency—once a few birds discovered it, they soon let on and helped others find it as well.