The
scarlet-chested sunbird (
Chalcomitra senegalensis) is a species of bird in the
sunbird family, Nectariniidae. It is found in many areas of
sub-Saharan Africa, and from South Sudan to South Africa. Adult males of this species have a characteristic red–scarlet coloured breast and an iridescent green patch on top of their heads, while the female is dark brown with no
supercilium. It inhabits woodland and gardens, at elevations of up to 2,400 metres (7,900 ft). The bird is around 13 to 15 centimetres (5.1 to 5.9 in) in length, with males having a weight of 7.5 to 17.2 grams (0.26 to 0.61 oz) and females weighing 6.8 to 15.3 grams (0.24 to 0.54 oz). This female scarlet-chested sunbird of the subspecies
C. s. lamperti was photographed feeding on an
Aloe zebrina flower in the
Soysambu Conservancy, Kenya.
Photograph credit: Charles J. Sharp