Malachite Sunbirds by salza

Malachite Sunbirds

We have a sunbird feeder in the garden which is a hot favourite at the moment. This is a Malachite sunbird pair.

Info about malachite sunbirds (Wikipedia):
The breeding male malachite sunbird, which has very long central tail feathers, is 25 cm long, and the shorter-tailed female 15 cm. The adult male is metallic green when breeding, with blackish-green wings with small yellow pectoral patches. In non-breeding (eclipse) plumage, the male's upperparts are brown apart from the green wings and tail, the latter retaining the elongated feathers. The underparts in eclipse plumage are yellow, flecked with green.

The female has brown upperparts and dull yellow underparts with some indistinct streaking on the breast. Her tail is square-ended. The juvenile resembles the female.

This species, like most sunbirds, feed mainly on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. This sunbird may hunt in a similar manner to a flycatcher, hawking for insect prey from a perch.

Very elegant birds! And beautiful shot! fav
November 21st, 2016  
Never heard of them . great capture
November 21st, 2016  
What a gorgeous bird!! So interesting to find out about a bird I have never heard of or seen before!! Fav!
November 21st, 2016  
Amazing!
November 21st, 2016  
Wonderful birds, great capture!
November 21st, 2016  
beautiful capture- what do you feed them?
November 21st, 2016  
@30pics4jackiesdiamond it's sugar water with red food colouring in it.
November 21st, 2016  
lovely capture and bokeh
November 21st, 2016  
Awesome capture...neat colors
November 21st, 2016  
You are so lucky to live in the country and have these amazing birds visit
November 21st, 2016  
Gorgeous birds, Sally and a beautiful photo! That's a brilliant feeder!
November 21st, 2016  
beautiful colours. interesting information on these beautiful creatures. aces!
November 21st, 2016  
Very nice composition.
November 21st, 2016  
Absolutely stunning birds
November 21st, 2016  
Fabulous
November 22nd, 2016  
Awesome shot
November 22nd, 2016  
Fantastic.
November 22nd, 2016  
@salza
Hi Sally! I'm up, I'm up!
I have two proposal for you: to make a portrait focusing on a body part other than face or to take a macro nature shot with bokeh...o
Let me know if they don't work and I'll think to something else!
Have a nice week! :)
November 22nd, 2016  
Incredible timing to catch this shot. Beautiful.
November 22nd, 2016  
wow what stunning birds! fav
November 22nd, 2016  
Great. Extraordinary colors -- almost look like they are made from wax.
November 22nd, 2016  
@frappa77 thanks Francesca, glad you are up for the challenge. Both of your proposals are great challenges. Maybe I will do one of each :-)
November 22nd, 2016  
Great capture of these elegant birds Sally
November 22nd, 2016  
Marvellous. I've never seen these birds before xx
November 22nd, 2016  
Lovely capture in info
November 22nd, 2016  
Beautiful birds- amazing capture. I'm fascinated with them- a fav!
November 24th, 2016  
Superb!
November 24th, 2016  
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