Sunbirds are small birds with long curved bills that feed on nectar and flowers. The male Beautiful Sunbird, Cinnyris pulchellus, is about 10cm (4in) long with another 5cm (2in) of tail and weighs up to 10g; here he is in his iridescent breeding plumage:
When he turns, you can see his chest colors (sorry about the blurry photo):
His non-breeding (eclipse) plumage is much more subdued; this one is drinking from a container in the grounds of our lodge.
In The Gambia March is the end of the breeding season, so the one above has shed his glad rags.
They build a nest out of almost any available vegetation or soft substance, including snakeskins, cobwebs, and lichens. Some nests, including this one, have a charming roofed porch over the entrance:
This nest seems to be made mostly of grass and bark, with downy feathers escaping from the entrance. They lay only 1-2 eggs. It was suspended from a tree about 3m above the ground.
I end with a photo of a male Pygmy Sunbird, Hedydipna platura, in his breeding plumage. He is smaller than the Beautiful Sunbird, weighing in at a mere 7gm. But his long tail streamers and purple rump compensate for his diminutive stature.
Eyes on the Wild 
The Pygmy Sunbird certainly is a feather-weight! Beautiful. I like the roofed porch. You seemed to have seen a great deal in The Gambia….thank you for sharing.
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I remember spotting a beautiful sunbird in Ethiopia. I didn’t know what it was, but I said “What is that beautiful bird?” I was pleased I got the name right!
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