Orange-breasted Sunbird

Description

As one chapter with the Malachite Sunbird family ended, another began with a male Orange-breasted Sunbird (Anthobaphes violacea) and his charming little mate. They arrived shortly after the Malachites’ story closed and have been visiting the fynbos above my house every day for over four years. The male often indulges in a Jacuzzi in the bird bath and frequently claims the sugar-water bottle I’ve hung to support the birds.

Orange-breasted Sunbirds are endemic to South Africa’s fynbos biome, feeding primarily on nectar from a variety of flowering plants, including Protea, Leucospermum, and Erica species. They also consume small insects and spiders, especially when feeding their young. Slightly smaller than Malachites, they are equally bold, with males displaying bright orange and iridescent green plumage to attract mates and defend territory. The male has become the self-proclaimed boss of all bosses, deciding who may drink from the feeder. His daily presence is a living thread connecting one story to the next, a constant reminder that the wonders of life and wildlife are often waiting to be discovered — the nature on your doorstep.

PRINT#06B

Paper Print (Archival – Matt Texture)
Landscape Format:
A3 420 x 297mm Print Code J – R
A2 594 x 420mm Print Code K – R
A1 841 x 594mm Print Code L – R
A0 1189 x 841mm Print Code M – R