The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Marico Sunbird
Afrikaans name: Maricosuikerbekkie
Above - Male Marico Sunbird
Photo © Steven Herbert
Cinnyris mariquensis
The Marico Sunbird is an attractive bird that is found in the northern and north-eastern parts of South Africa. Beyond our borders they are found all the way up to Ethiopia.
The male is really attractive and is slightly bigger than the female. She is brownish on the back, has yellowish underparts and is heavily streaked on the underside of the throat.
The Marico Sunbird is fairly common in its preferred habitat which is riverine forest and acacia savanna. It is sometimes found in gardens as well.
Its favourite food is nectar but it also eats spiders and certain insects.
The Marico Sunbird breeds during summer. The female builds the nest which is normally located on a thin branch. She lays 2, or sometimes 3 eggs, and she incubates them for nearly 2 weeks. Both parents feed the chicks.
Roberts Birds Names by Edition
| Edition | Roberts nr | Scientific name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 755 | Maricornis mariquensis |
| 2nd | 755 | Cinnyris mariquensis |
| 3rd | 755 | Cinnyris mariquensis |
| 4th | 755 | Cinnyris mariquensis |
| 5th | 779 | Nectarinia mariquensis |
| 6th | 779 | Nectarinia mariquensis |
| 7th | 831 | Cinnyris mariquensis |
| Edition | Roberts nr | English name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 755 | Marico Sunbird |
| 2nd | 755 | Marico Sunbird |
| 3rd | 755 | Marico Sunbird |
| 4th | 755 | Marico Sunbird |
| 5th | 779 | Marico Sunbird |
| 6th | 779 | Marico Sunbird |
| 7th | 831 | Marico Sunbird |
| Edition | Roberts nr | Afrikaans name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 755 | Marico-suikerbekkie |
| 2nd | 755 | Marico-suikerbekkie |
| 3rd | 755 | Marico-suikerbekkie |
| 4th | 755 | Marico-suikerbekkie |
| 5th | 779 | Maricosuikerbekkie |
| 6th | 779 | Maricosuikerbekkie |
| 7th | 831 | Maricosuikerbekkie |
References and further reading
Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 93The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 320
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 166
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 687
Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 686
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 378
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 410
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 537
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 525
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 398
Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 314
Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 406
Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 298
Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 398
Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 200
Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 71
Everyones Guide to South African Birds - Author: John Sinclair and John Mendelsohn - Published: 1987 - Page: 69
Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 245
Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 108
Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 260
Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 206
A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 36
A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 36
A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 285
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