The Seychelles sunbird is a small passerine from the sunbird family. It is named after the French explorer Jean-Jacques Dussumier. It is native to the Seychelles, where it is known as kolibri in Seychellois Creole. This bird is placed in the genus Cinnyris by some authorities and in Nectarinia by others. Although this bird has a limited range, it is described as common and has a stable population, so the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".
Region
Seychelles Archipelago
Typical Environment
Occurs across the inner granitic islands of the Seychelles, including Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue, and on some nearby islets. It inhabits coastal scrub, woodland, plantations, gardens, and forest edges, and will also use mangroves. The species is tolerant of human presence and frequently forages in village areas and resorts. It is found from the shoreline up into the upland forests of the larger islands.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Seychelles sunbird is a key pollinator on the islands, visiting both native and ornamental flowers with its brush-tipped tongue. Males are dark and subtly iridescent, while females are brownish-grey and more cryptic. It adapts well to gardens and human-altered habitats, which helps keep its population stable. Locally it is known as “kolibri” in Seychellois Creole.
Temperament
active and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief hovering at flowers
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs, especially during breeding. Pairs build a suspended, purse-like nest of plant fibers and spider silk with a side entrance, often in shrubs or low trees. They defend small feeding territories around nectar sources.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A high, tinkling series of twitters and chips interspersed with sharp tseep notes. Males vocalize frequently from exposed perches near flowering plants to advertise territory.
Plumage
Male appears dark with a metallic green to bluish sheen on the head and throat; underparts are dusky to blackish. Female is brownish-grey above with paler greyish underparts and a more diffuse, plain appearance. Both sexes have a slender, decurved bill suited to nectar feeding.
Diet
Primarily nectar from a wide range of native and introduced flowers, gathered with a brush-tipped tongue while perching or briefly hovering. It supplements nectar with small insects and spiders, especially when feeding chicks. It may also take small amounts of soft fruit or sap when available. By moving between flowers, it acts as an effective pollinator for many plant species.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in flowering shrubs, coastal vegetation, gardens, plantations, and forest edges. Often forages at different heights, from ground-level shrubs to canopy blossoms, and readily visits flowering ornamental plants in settlements.
