Seasonal occurrence of the Malachite Sunbird, Nectarinia famosa, and Gurney's Sugarbird, Pr

Abstract

Local movements of 374 Malachite Sunbirds, Nectarinia famosa, and 124 Gurney's Sugarbirds, Promerops gurneyi, were studied in KwaZulu-Natal over a period of 92 months. It was hypothesized that these nectarivores move in response to seasonal nectar sources. One Malachite Sunbird moved between two sites and 17 were recaptured at the site of ringing (4.6%, recapture rate). Although no long-distance recoveries of Gurney's Sugarbird were mode, the presence or absence of this species at ringing sites suggests that they are involved in local long-distance movements between food sources. Twenty-six recaptures (16.1% of individuals ringed) indicate strong site fidelity.