This study documents the breeding cycle of the Palestine Sunbird (Cinnyris osea) in Karmiel, Northern Israel. The female built a nest on June 6, laid three eggs and incubated them alone until June 15, when two chicks hatched. Fledging occurred about 13 - 15 days later, which completed a full breeding cycle of 30 - 35 days. Both parents fed the chicks, but only the female incubated. A decline in floral resources during nesting led the birds to shift from nectar to insect feeding. Compared to populations outside Israel, which may begin breeding as early as December (e.g., in Africa), the Israeli breeding season varies by region and starts as early as January in central areas. This study highlights the sunbird’s adaptability to different climates and urban habitats.
References
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Cheke, R.A. and Mann, C.F. (2020) Palestine Sunbird (Cinnyris osea). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A.and de Juana, E., Eds., Birds of the World, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. https://birdsoftheworld.org
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