Sunbirds (Nectariniidae)
Seychelles Sunbird (Cinnyris dussumieri) - HBW 13, p. 302
French: Souimanga des Seychelles
German: Seychellennektarvogel
Spanish: Suimanga de Seychelles
Other common names: Seychelles Blue-headed Sunbird
Taxonomy: Nectarinia dussumieri Hartlaub, 1861, Seychelle Islands.
Genus often subsumed in Nectarinia. Recent mitochondrial DNA studies indicate that this species belongs to a clade which includes also C. sovimanga, C. humbloti, C. comorensis and C. coquerellii, resulting from a colonization of Indian Ocean islands from continental Africa (at earliest 3·9 million years ago) initially through Comoros; sister-group appears to contain C. bouvieri, C. talatala and C. venustus. Was formerly thought perhaps to be close to Chalcomitra balfouri, another island species but currently placed in a di.. View all taxonomy...
Genus often subsumed in Nectarinia. Recent mitochondrial DNA studies indicate that this species belongs to a clade which includes also C. sovimanga, C. humbloti, C. comorensis and C. coquerellii, resulting from a colonization of Indian Ocean islands from continental Africa (at earliest 3·9 million years ago) initially through Comoros; sister-group appears to contain C. bouvieri, C. talatala and C. venustus. Was formerly thought perhaps to be close to Chalcomitra balfouri, another island species but currently placed in a different genus. Birds on Mahé having almost completely orange pectoral tufts described as a geographical race, mahei, but this possibly due to individual variation, and too few specimens available for examination. Treated as monotypic.
Distribution: Seychelle Islands, occurring on Aride, Silhouette, Cousin and Cousine, Praslin, La Digue, Mahé and Frégate.
- Least Concern Enlarge map
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A Seychelles sunbird (endemic) collecting nectar from a hibiscus flower - taken at Beau Vallon, Mahé island ("mainland"), on 14
Locality Beau Vallon, Mahe Island, Seychelles (Monotypic species)
David Nowell 14 July 2008 3 years ago 2
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