The eastern violet-backed sunbird, also known as the Kenya violet-backed sunbird, is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae. It is found in arid savanna of East Africa, ranging from Djibouti in north to Tanzania in south. It is part of the violet-backed sunbird superspecies.
Region
East Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs from Djibouti and eastern Ethiopia south through Somalia and Kenya to northeastern and central Tanzania. It favors arid and semi-arid savannas, thornscrub, Acacia–Commiphora woodland, dry coastal bushland, and edges of dry forests. It also uses riverine thickets and human-modified habitats such as gardens with flowering shrubs. Often found where seasonal blooms provide nectar, moving locally as flowers peak.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small sunbird is part of the violet-backed sunbird superspecies, split from the western form based on plumage and range. Males shimmer with a violet-blue gloss on the back, while females are cryptic and streaked for camouflage. It is an important pollinator of dry-country blossoms and readily visits flowering shrubs and gardens. Pairs often defend nectar sources vigorously against other small birds.
Temperament
active and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, occasionally in small loose groups at rich nectar sources. Males defend flowering shrubs and trees with short chases and display perches. The nest is a small, pendant, purse-like structure with a side entrance, built from plant fibers and spider silk and often suspended in thorny cover.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Call is a thin, high, sibilant tsee-tsee or tsip series; song a rapid, tinkling twitter interspersed with sharp notes. Vocalizations are often delivered from a conspicuous perch near flowering trees.
Plumage
Male with glossy violet to bluish-purple back and rump, dark head and wings, and cleaner underparts; iridescence shifts with light. Female is olive-brown above with yellowish underparts, often lightly streaked, and a faint pale supercilium.
Diet
Primarily feeds on nectar from Acacia, Aloe, and other dry-country blossoms, using a brush-tipped tongue. Supplements diet with small insects and spiders gleaned from foliage and flowers, especially when feeding young. Will hawk briefly for tiny flying insects around flowering canopies during peak activity.
Preferred Environment
Forages in flowering shrubs, thorny savanna trees, and woodland edges, often at mid to upper canopy levels. Readily visits gardens and village plantings where ornamental species bloom.
