Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird

The Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird of Kenya has a different look from most sunbirds. It has a disproportionately larger head, longer tail and shorter bill. It looks somewhat like a warbler. It shows a very distinct sexual dimorphism. The male has very dark, almost black upperparts with violet reflections on the hooded head, back, shoulders and tail. The wings are more brown. The lesser coverts tend towards iridescent blue. The underside of the body is white from the middle of the throat to the undertail coverts. The flanks are grayish. It is reputed to have yellow throat tufts but these are rarely visible. The black bill is short (equal to the distance between the front and the eye), fairly thick and slightly curved. The iris is brown. The legs are black. The female is less contrasted. The upper body and head are a relatively cold brown-grey. The wings are a little darker. A distinct white eyebrow runs from the bill to the nape. From the male, she only retains the violet tail and undertail coverts. The underside, from the bill to the tail, is white, often shaded with yellow. The juvenile is similar to the female with a darker upper part and a yellower underside.