Scarlet-chested Sunbird Nectarinia/Chalcomitra senegalensis

Despite its scientific name Senegalensis, the Scarlet-chested Sunbird can be found in most of sub-Saharan Africa. Like other non-equatorial Sunbirds, the male looks much like the plainer female (above right) until he develops his bright plumage for the courting and breeding season - in his case a bright shiny scarlet red chest (above left/centre) with iridescent green on the head.

As with other Sunbirds, the non-breeding male is brown. First his red chest starts to develop together with a metallic green brow, then chin.

His black body plumage is the last to show.

This one has yellow with the red chest. After the scarlet-chested breeding plumage, his chest is also the first to go and the black body is the last.

The "scarlet woman" has a speckled front and a brown back - just one coat for all seasons - seen here gathering nesting material from twine and grasses.

While Sunbirds' nectaring activities aid pollination of plants, the Scarlet-chested Sunbird is in trouble for spreading mistletoe into/in cocoa plantations.