Now positively identified by Trevor Hardaker  as   Dusky Sunbird (Cinnyris fuscus)

 Updated on 3rd February 2013.

"This post is all about a Sunbird that I am…. (had been)… trying to identify.  It had been suggested that it is an immature male Dusky Sunbird which seems more than likely, however the Dusky Sunbird (Cinnyris fuscus) is a rare vagrant only for Cape Town where the photograph was taken. Specifically it was photographed late on the evening of 6th January, appropriately in the 'biodiversity exhibit" at Green Point Park, Cape Town.  I first saw it low in bushes next to a path and my attention was drawn by it's busy and noisy behaviour.  To be honest, I was looking for Sunbirds and had caught sight of one or two from a distance already.  It was obviously intent on feeding because as you can see it is probing deep in to the flower heads of what I think is a species of wild geranium. The Dusky sunbird is described as a species normally associated with dry savanah, thickets and shrubland, not urban areas nor a public park!  It is worth noting that the park, which was created only recently, is a part of a "legacy project" from the recently built (for the world cup), Cape Town Stadium.  It is more than likely that it has hardly ever been investigated by birders who would be more likely to explore wilder areas that they are more familiar with. But as a visitor and staying nearby it is normal for me to investigate public parks like this because there are always common birds to see and photograph. I also managed photographs of Grey-headed Gull here.  Males in full colour are dark with an almost black head, breast and back which is irridescent and shows as dark green, purple and petrel blue in the right light.  As far as I can ascertain the vent area and lower belly is always the colour shown in the images and the tail is always black as illustrated. When I look at other people's  images of this species, it would appear that immature males always seem to have this kind of dark bib.  For me, the photo's are particularly pleasing because they were taken with my 500mm lens hand held and in very poor light.  In other words a miracle that I managed to finish with any results at all."