29 thoughts on “White-bellied Sunbird”

1. Stewart October 21, 2024 at 11:39 am

   Hi
   We are fortunate to have a recently built White-bellied nest in the garden and have setup a YouTube stream.
   What we don’t understand is she completed the nest at least 5 days back and sleeps in the nest every night but no eggs so far.
   She leaves very early every morning and only returns late just before sundown.
   I wonder if this is normal?

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   1. DeWetsWild Post authorOctober 22, 2024 at 4:49 am

      My edition of Roberts indicates that it may be up to 40 days after the nest is completed before the female will start laying, Stewart.

      Have you seen a male around? She may be out all day looking for a mate.

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      1. Stewart October 22, 2024 at 1:32 pm

         Thank you for the reply. We have not seen a male around. That may explain why she is gone all day.
         Does the male feed the female while she is sitting on the eggs?
      2. DeWetsWild Post authorOctober 22, 2024 at 4:18 pm

         The female leaves the clutch for a short period every day to feed, Stewart – usually from just before midday. During that time you might see the male hang around the nest though he won’t be brooding the eggs.
2. Lara Lourens January 20, 2023 at 11:22 am

   Hi there, I hope someone will be able to help. We have one of these little male birds that comes home every evening at 19:00 and sleeps on the chandelier on our front porch all night long.

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   1. DeWetsWild Post authorJanuary 20, 2023 at 3:38 pm

      You’re very lucky to have such an attractive visitor, Lara.

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3. Dawn Crooks October 28, 2019 at 1:35 pm

   I have a white-bellied Sunbird couple who are making a nest on my washing line in my courtyard! It is right outside my kitchen window so I have a ‘birds-eye view’ of their comings and goings. Do you have any pictures of their finished nest, and if their entrance faces in a particular direction…East etc. Can I feed them with sugar water?

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   1. de Wets Wild Post authorOctober 28, 2019 at 2:53 pm

      How wonderfully lucky you are to have them choose your property for their nest, Dawn! Unfortunately I have never seen a white-bellied sunbird nest and if you want to would appreciate if you could post a picture here together with your comment of their completed nest?

      As for feeding them you might find this link useful: https://takalani.co.za/nectar-recipe-and-feeder-care/

      Kind regards

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4. Photography Journal Blog July 17, 2017 at 7:47 am

   I would love having a visitor like this in my garden, I like your gallery.

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   1. de Wets Wild Post authorJuly 23, 2017 at 6:20 am

      Thanks a lot, P.J.B. We love attracting birds to our garden, makes it feel a little less like the city…

      Reply ↓
5. SoyBend July 16, 2017 at 2:43 am

   Those are some wonderful pictures of this bird!

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   1. de Wets Wild Post authorJuly 23, 2017 at 6:19 am

      Thank you very much, Siobhan!

      Reply ↓
6. perdebytjie July 15, 2017 at 7:45 pm

   Pragtige foto’s,Dries!Dis juis so moeilik om die knapies af te neem,want hulle sit mos nooit stil nie…welgedaan!

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   1. de Wets Wild Post authorJuly 23, 2017 at 6:18 am

      Baie dankie, Dina! Ja, ek en Joubert het groot pret om hulle dop te hou!

      Reply ↓
7. kim blades, writer July 15, 2017 at 2:33 pm

   I don’t think I’ve seen this subird before. We only get the tiny, shiny, blue-green ones in our area. They love the nectar of the hibiscus that I have a forest of in my garden. Fantastic photos.

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   1. de Wets Wild Post authorJuly 23, 2017 at 6:18 am

      You must have so much fun with the sunbirds in your garden, Kim!?

      Reply ↓
8. John July 15, 2017 at 6:02 am

   Great picture of the beautiful bird. 🙂 Is it related to the hummingbirds?

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   1. de Wets Wild Post authorJuly 23, 2017 at 6:16 am

      Not at all related, John, but a great example of how evolution has resulted in similar adaptations to a similar lifestyle!

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9. montucky July 15, 2017 at 4:00 am

   What a pretty and pleasant looking little bird! Reminds me also of a hummingbird.

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   1. de Wets Wild Post authorJuly 23, 2017 at 6:17 am

      And so lively – Always flitting about and chirping away!

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10. Beauty Along the Road July 15, 2017 at 3:23 am

    Your sunbird reminds me of a hummingbird, especially with its iridescent patches and wings spread.

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    1. de Wets Wild Post authorJuly 23, 2017 at 6:15 am

       Although they’re not related at all, Annette, it is interesting to see how sunbirds and hummingbirds have adapted similarly to their food source!

       Reply ↓
11. loisajay July 15, 2017 at 3:16 am

    What a delicate little bird!

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    1. de Wets Wild Post authorJuly 23, 2017 at 6:14 am

       I think they’re a lot tougher than they look, having seen them chase of birds much bigger than themselves!

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       1. loisajay July 23, 2017 at 4:47 pm

          Yay for the little ones!
12. sustainabilitea July 15, 2017 at 12:42 am

    I like best the shot displaying the beauty of the wings. 🙂

    janet

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    1. de Wets Wild Post authorJuly 23, 2017 at 6:13 am

       Thanks, Janet!

       Reply ↓
13. unexpectedincommonhours July 15, 2017 at 12:41 am

    What a lovely bird! I honestly didn’t know there was a real bird called a Sunbird. I sounds like something from a fairy story.

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    1. de Wets Wild Post authorJuly 23, 2017 at 6:13 am

       We have several species of sunbird – this is one of the more drab varieties!

       Reply ↓

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