Tracking the range expansion of the Marico Sunbird <i>Cinnyris mariquensis</i> in South Africa through SABAP2

Abstract

The Marico Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis is usually confined to dry Acacia savanna and broad-leaved and riparian woodlands, and often associated with riparian vegetation in arid regions. A large proportion of its range is centred in the drier central and western regions within southern Africa but it also occurs in the wetter sub-tropical woodlands in the eastern parts of the country. owie 2005). It is an active sunbird that feeds in association with other conspecifics including White-bellied Sunbird C. talatala and Dusky Sunbird C. fuscus. This paper describes how the range is expanding into the Northern Cape and Free State provinces in central South Africa.