Sugar Birds
Sunbirds
I still need to see:
- Plain-backed Sunbird
- Western Violet-backed Sunbird
- Bronzy Sunbird
- Miombo Double-collared Sunbird
- Variable Sunbird
- Copper Sunbird
- Shelley’s Sunbird
Sunbirds & Sugarbirds
birding101.co.za
Southern African birds and wildlife
I am not a birdwatcher, but recently read about the Hummingbird that needs to feed very often (about every 20 minutes) and goes into a state of torpor to conserve energy. I can’t find any info regarding the South African sugar bird in the fynbos area. I stay in the Overberg region and I am interested to know whether sugarbirds have the same high energy demand.
Hi David, Our sunbirds and sugarbirds are much larger thus can sustain themselves much longer on a meal. They also have a more diverse diet which includes insects and the proteins are not as quickly burnt as plant sugars