Sunbirds are colourful pollinators of many plants. They are generally small in size, and have long curved beaks.
Flowers pollinated by sunbirds are often red or orange and have long tubular flowers with lots of sugary nectar. Giant lobelias that grow on the high mountains of East Africa are pollinated by sunbirds, as are Aloes and Red-hot Poker Trees.
Many of the plants pollinated by sunbirds have adapted to particular species, having a tubular shape and size to correspond to the sunbird’s beak. Other organisms cannot pollinate these flowers. Sunbirds also feed on insects that visit flowers.
Shining Sunbird at nest by D. J. Martins. Note the pollen coating her throat indicating she has been visiting flowering...
Scarlet-turfed Malachite Sunbird by Dino J. Martins
Marico Sunbird on flowering aloe by by Dino J. Martins
Beautiful Sunbird by Dino J. Martins