Cinnyris mariquensis

This stunning sunbird is often found in more arid areas, where it is a common resident in woodland and savanna. The male can be separated from purple-banded sunbird by its larger size, longer bill and broader purple breast band.

I first recorded this sunbird in July 2010 while visiting Roodeplaat Nature Reserve. There is always a good selection of birds near the main offices and a quick walk round the surrounding gardens (and parking lot) can not only find you this sunbird but also the likes of burnt-necked eromomela, chinspot batis, crimson-breasted shrike, yellow-fronted tinkerbarbet, spotted flycatcher, neddicky and kalahari scrub-robin.

Rust de Winter is another superb spot to find this species.