Long-tailed Sunbird in The Gambia

Hedydipna pulchella

AWAITING IMAGE

Overview

The Long-tailed Sunbird (also known as the Beautiful Sunbird) is a stunning, jewel-like nectar feeder celebrated for its dazzling plumage and acrobatic flight. Across The Gambia and West Africa, this vibrant species brings life to flowering trees and open woodlands with its shimmering feathers and bustling activity.

Identification

Breeding males are unmistakable, featuring iridescent emerald-green plumage across the head, back, and throat, accented by a bright scarlet chest patch framed with yellow borders, and exceptionally elongated central tail feathers. Non-breeding males adopt an eclipse plumage that appears mostly grey-brown, retaining flashes of metallic green on the wings. Females lack the long tail and bright colors, sporting olive-grey upperparts, yellowish underparts, and a faint pale supercilium.

Habitat and behaviour

This species thrives in dry acacia savanna, open sahelian scrub, cultivated farmland, bush country, and flowering suburban gardens. Feeding primarily on nectar from acacia, hibiscus, and eucalyptus blossoms, it also supplements its diet with small spiders and flying insects caught in mid-air. Active and vocal, it often announces its presence with sharp, metallic chipping calls and sweet, trilling songs while flitting among blossoms.

Breeding strategy

Unlike brood parasites, Long-tailed Sunbirds build intricate nests to rear their young. The female constructs a neat, suspended, purse-like nest composed of fine grasses, plant fibers, and cobwebs, typically decorated externally with dried leaves or bark flakes. She usually lays one to three eggs and incubates them while the male vigorously defends the surrounding territory against rivals.

Birdwatching in The Gambia

Long-tailed Sunbirds are widespread and can be seen in various productive savanna and coastal locations, including dry bush areas around Tujereng, Kiang West National Park, and open habitats along the River Gambia. Keep a keen eye on flowering shrubs early in the morning when nectar production is at its peak and bird activity is most intense.

Field note

When searching for the Long-tailed Sunbird, scan flowering canopy tops and blossoming bushes where their metallic feathers gleam in direct sunlight. During seasonal moult, keep in mind that males may lose their elongated tail streamers, so focus on throat colouration and wing panels for accurate identification. Guide Lamin Jobaate can readily locate active feeding patches and help photographers capture these fast-moving jewels at their best.

Would you like to see the Long-tailed Sunbird in The Gambia? Tell Lamin your preferred dates and the birds you most want to find. He can shape a private itinerary around the season, habitats and your pace. Check dates and availability.