Northern Double-collared Sunbird

The northern double-collared sunbird is a medium-sized species. The adult male's head and back is a metallic green that has a steely-blue sheen in some lights. The rump is greyish-brown, the uppertail coverts metallic purple and the tail black, glossed blue. The main flight feathers are dark brown. There is a narrow purple collar beneath the metallic green throat, above a scarlet breast and pale brown belly. There are pale yellow pectoral tufts that are not always visible. The eye is black or dark brown, and the beak and legs are black. The adult female is more drab with upper parts dark olive green and a dark brown tail. The underparts are greyish-olive, the belly being tinged with yellow. The juvenile is similar to the adult female.

The northern double-collared sunbird is often found in small mixed-species flocks, associating with species like white-eyes (genus Zosterops) and the oriole finch (Linurgus olivaceus). It tends to perch in the mid-storeys of trees, looking from side to side. It feeds on nectar, insects and their larvae, and spiders. The male is territorial and sings vigorously. It is aggressive throughout the year and attacks con-specific males, sometimes resulting in mid-air fights which may continue on the ground. It also does battle with the Cameroon sunbird (Cyanomitra oritis) and the olive-bellied sunbird (Cinnyris chloropygia).