BirdingNJ: Nile Valley Sunbirds in El Gouna

Nile Valley Sunbird, male in breeding plumage, Downtown, El Gouna, 20/2-2015.

Sunbirds is a beautiful but not very species rich species group in Westpal with just four species registrered. Nile Valley Sunbird (NVS) and Palestine Sunbird are both breeding residents in Westpal while Pygmy Sunbird and Purple Sunbird both are rare, coincidental guests.

The Nile Valley, especially so Crocodile Island at Luxor, have for a long time been the only area to connect with NVS in Westpal. The species is though apparantly rather widespread along the Nile and can e.g. also be found in Cairo Zoo.

In the last decade or so there have been the odd observation of NVS at El Gouna. Being situated on the Red Sea Coast about 20 km north of Hurghada, El Gouna is thereby very far away from the nearest breeding areas for NVS.
During the last four years it has however become evident that NVS is a regular species at El Gouna with a small, but solid breeding population.

On my recent visit to El Gouna from the 19th to 26th of February, I found NVS to be widespread and rather common with several birds seen and especially heard every day at Sheraton Miramar. Most common though was the species in an area of Downtown El Gouna and on the eastern part of the Golf Resort. Here flocks of 5-10 birds were seen on several occasions.

Map of El Gouna. The pink polygons shows the best areas for NVS during my stay.

Nile Valley Sunbird, male in breeding plumage, Downtown, El Gouna, 20/2-2015.

Nile Valley Sunbird, male in non-breeding plumage, Sheraton Miramar, El Gouna, 21/2-2015.

Nile Valley Sunbird, female-coloured bird, Sheraton Miramar, El Gouna, 21/2-2015.

Nile Valley Sunbird, male in non-breeding plumage, Sheraton Miramar, El Gouna, 25/2-2015.

Nile Valley Sunbird, two different female-coloured birds, Downtown, El Gouna, 25/2-2015.

Nile Valley Sunbird, three males in different plumage stages, Downtown, El Gouna, 25/2-2015.

Nile Valley Sunbird, male in breeding plumage, Downtown, El Gouna, 25/2-2015.

Nile Valley Sunbird, male in breeding plumage, Steigenberger Golf Resort, El Gouna, 26/2-2015. On this picture the black thigh separating NVS from Pygmy Sunbird is easily seen.