The Tacazze sunbird is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae. It is native to the eastern Afromontane forests.
Region
Eastern Afromontane
Typical Environment
Occurs in highland forests and forest edges from the Horn of Africa south through parts of the East African highlands. It favors evergreen montane forest, juniper–Hagenia woodlands, bamboo thickets, and well-wooded valleys. Often visits flowery clearings, secondary growth, and highland gardens where nectar sources are abundant. It follows seasonal blooms locally and may range along ridges and valleys to exploit flowering trees.
Altitude Range
1200–3600 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Tacazze sunbird is among the larger sunbirds, with males sporting elongated tail streamers and a striking iridescent sheen. It is closely tied to flowering trees of the eastern Afromontane forests and often defends rich nectar sources aggressively. Its name references the Tekezé (Tacazze) River region in northern Ethiopia. Like other sunbirds, it uses a brush-tipped tongue to extract nectar and supplements its diet with small insects.
Female specimen Nairobi National Museum
Temperament
active and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with darting, hovering around flowers
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, occasionally in small loose groups at flowering trees. The male defends rich nectar sources and performs display flights. The cup-shaped nest is typically built by the female, suspended in vegetation and lined with soft fibers. Breeding coincides with peaks in floral abundance.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives high, thin tseet notes and rapid, chattering phrases. Song is a short, buzzy jumble often delivered from exposed perches near flowering trees.
Plumage
Male is glossy dark with strong purple and green iridescence and very long central tail streamers; female is duller gray-brown to olive with paler underparts and faint streaking. Both sexes have a long, slender, decurved bill suited for nectar feeding.
Diet
Primarily feeds on nectar from a variety of montane flowers, including aloes, Leonotis, and flowering trees. Uses a brush-tipped tongue to lap nectar while hovering briefly or perching. Supplements its diet with small insects and spiders, especially during breeding, gleaned from foliage or caught on the wing. May also take small fruits occasionally.
Preferred Environment
Forages at flowering trees and shrubs along forest edges, clearings, and wooded gardens. Often works through mid-canopy and canopy layers, descending to shrubs when blooms are abundant.
