As we move into winter, the local aloes are coming into flower, providing a splash of bright reds, oranges and yellows into the browning landscape.
While the bush loses its vibrant array of greens and takes on a more drab appearance, these flowering plants become an important micro-ecosystem attracting an array of insects. In turn, a suite of sunbirds are drawn in to maximise on the available nectar and protein in insect form.
An Aloe garden in full bloom outside the offices in the heart of the Londolozi camp area.
Many people are familiar with hummingbirds as they are widespread across the Americas and are striking little birds. The smallest bird in the world is a bee hummingbird, weighing in around 2 grammes and sizing up at roughly 2,5 inches (6cm).
The World’s smallest bird – the bee hummingbird. Image by Charles Sharp
Sunbirds are Africa’s equivalent of the hummingbird family. Both occupy the same niche – ie. they both fulfil the same ecological roll as nectar eaters.
Hummingbirds (family Trochilidae) however are only found in the Americas whereas Sunbirds (family Nectariniidae) are found exclusively in Africa and Asia. This basically means that although these families of birds look almost identical, they are in fact completely unrelated and have come to look the way they do due to their habitats and habits being similar in a case of convergent evolution.
A scarlet-chested sunbird clinging onto an aloe in the Londolozi Camp with an insect it has just caught.
Sunbirds are prolific within the Londolozi Camps, particularly when the Aloes are in flower. This means that between game drives, one has the opportunity to take a walk and observe the fantastic array of iridescent colours flitting about around you quite easily. The key is to sit quietly and wait. Patience will then pay off.
A collared sunbird sits on an aloe branch after feeding on the nectar.
There are 21 species of sunbird in southern Africa of which five are found at Londolozi. These include the white-bellied, collared, scarlet-chested, Marico and amethyst sunbirds. All are very different looking colour-wise but all have a long, decurved beak that is perfectly adapted for probing nectar out of tubular flowers. The tip of the bill is sharp and serrated for cutting through the edge of a flower to reach the sugary nectar within, if they cannot reach all the way down the flower. This is a sneaky adaptation that unfortunately for the flower means that pollination is sometimes avoided but the sugary reward is stolen!
A white-bellied sunbird using its long beak to probe for nectar, thereby pollinating the flower in the process as it goes from flower to flower.
Males of all species are brilliantly coloured with some form of iridescence. This is what makes them wonderful to photograph as with a glint of light, they take on a metallic shine. As they are quite territorial and very vocal, chances are at a good stand of aloes there will be quite a display from these little birds.
Guest Tony Goldman has spent many hours between game drives photographing sunbirds. Here a white-bellied sunbird feeds off an aloe flower, showing the small size if the bird.
If one doesn’t take the time to observe, these will fly by without being noticed. Take one step further and there is a wonderful array of colourful insects all around us that may catch the eye too. There is a world of opportunity all around us waiting to be discovered…
A CMR beetle, also found on a flower within the Londolozi Camps…
I love Sunbirds. I’ve got two collared sunbirds in my garden that visit the aloes outside my bedroom window every morning. Through out summer, even if the aloes are not flowering. They are there in winter with many others. I must confess that I have got a bottle of sugar water for them hanging in the sicklebush. The birds are there all day long and it is very entaining to see the different varietes and their interactions with each other. The aloes have got buds on already so soon they will all be back.
Hi Marinda,
There is one aloe in our garden here in camp that has just started flowering.
Apparently a greater double-collared sunbird was seen in the White River area recently so keep a look out for that on your feeder. Mine gets finished within two days – hopefully yours lasts longer!
Hi Pete I have just had a visit from the greater double collared sunbird at the aloe in front of my bedroom window.
Pete, I saved the humming bird to my pictures
Sunbirds are some of my favourite birds to photograph!! I have yet to take good photos of the 5 Londolozi sunbirds, but I regularly get to photograph SDB, orange-breasted and malachite sunbirds in Cape Town. I still need to see the more elusive species like Neergaards and purple-banded.
Hi Callum,
I can quite confidently say that getting photos of the orange-breasted sunbird here won’t be happening. Embrace the mountain species while you can! Maybe a Cape rockjumper while you’re at it?
Such beautiful little birds! It’s spring here and our Ruby Throated Hummingbirds have started returning from their winter homes in South America. I love watching them at the feeder each day.
Hi Chelsea,
I just looked up the Ruby-throated hummingbird. The general resemblance to the double-collared sunbirds in South Africa is striking. Enjoy the viewing!
Wow absolutely beautiful. Birds are so gorgeous with their amazing colors
Hi Brian,
Indeed they are… The iridescence is something we do not see often or without taking the time to appreciate it.
Brilliant shots, Good to know the difference between Sunbirds & Hummingbirds, thanks. All the best from the States.
Thanks Christy,
Glad it was helpful. Keep well!
living in the city, downtown, our birds are pretty much limited to cardinals, crows and sparrows. so it is always a treat to see all the wonderful birds you have at Londolozi. I am guilty of not noticing the « hummingbirds » but will make a point of looking for them the next time we visit. stay safe Victoria
Hi Victoria,
Yes it’s definitely worthwhile keeping a look out for the sunbirds on your return! Although, even the common birds that aren’t as colourful as sunbirds can be very entertaining when we start observing their day-to-day behaviour and patterns.
What lovely photos – thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks Ivy!
Oh Pete I am envious of that awesome bed of Aloes in flower at Londo right now! How beautiful & the pictures of the Sunbirds are so precious, just our jewels of the feathered variety. Thank you so much for this blog 🙂
Pleasure Wendy!
Flowering aloes and sunbirds have definitely brightened up our lockdown, even if only in our small townhouse garden.
It really is wonderful how birds are widespread throughout the world. Even in cities, birds can still brighten up ones day.
Fantastique pictures and very interesting to read about these beautiful birds! The pictures are so beautiful!!
When is the best time to come to Londolozi to see sunbirds? Or birds in general?
Thank you for sharing!
Hi Ann,
The birding is always fantastic here as the majority of the species are resident. However, the best time for birding is in and around summer when all the migratory species are here. So from around November to late March. Sunbirds make small local movements and are prolific and concentrated around aloes when they are flowering around late April to August/September.
I’ve always thought that Africa has some of the most beautiful and colorful birds in the world. Some are also very unusual. Thanks Pete for these excellent images!
Hi Joanne,
Thanks!
Closer to the equator in Africa the diversity of bird species is incredibly high and ranks as one of the most bird-rich areas in the World. We are very lucky where we are, particularly in summer when all the migratory species are around.
Great piece and great photos! I have been lucky enough to see sunbirds at Londo, and also the bee hummingbird in Cuba and the giant hummingbird in Ecuador.
Hi Linda,
From the biggest to the smallest hummingbirds… What great experiences for you!
I am very grateful for my experiences with Mother Earth and her creatures. And to all of you at Londolozi and everyone who works in eco-tourism and conservation.
So cool! The sunbird are beautiful, vibrantly marked, and your post caused me to do a little research. It seems like they fly more like a regular bird, landing and feeding on nectar from a perched position rather than hovering like a hummingbird. Is this correct? Also, like all other birds other than hummingbirds, they seem to fly forward, whereas hummingbirds can fly forward and backwards. Is this correct as well? Let me know and thank you!
Hi Paul,
Yes, sunbirds can also hover but will normally perch as you mentioned. It is easier for them to probe their head back and forth into a flower from a perch and is most likely more energy efficient than hovering while feeding.
In terms of backwards flight – from the research that I have done it seems that sunbirds are unable to fly backwards. But I am going to keep a look out and see if I observe it out here!
Rad, as we say in California! Thank Pete!
A wonderful blog this week. Thank you. I am very envious of the aloe garden. Wish they grew here in the UK. I have one miniature aloe on my kitchen window sill which is the best I can do.
Awesome shots Pete! Tony Goldman does it again with his shot of the white-bellied sunbird!