Seychelles Sunbird

Known locally as Kolibri in Creole, this species is the only representative of the sunbird family found in the Seychelles. They have a distinct long beak and tube- like tongue, which allows them to collect nectar from flowers using capillary action. To meet their energy requirements, they move fast from flower to flower spending only one second collecting nectar.

Adults and juveniles also supplement their diet with small insects and spiders. Males have an iridescent blue throat and fiery orange patch under their wings, which is only seen in flight. They delicately weave a purse-like, hanging nest bound by spiderwebs constructed from dry grasses, palm fibres, twigs and leaves.