User:Aed761/sandbox/Draft



= Marico Sunbird (Cinnyris mariquensis) =

The Marico sunbird is found in higher proportion in the population during the wet season than during the dry season according to a paper written in 2014 about Avian assemblages of Urbanized Habitats in North-Central Namibia. The Marico sunbird is also considered 'dominant' relative to the other species of sunbird recorded during the study.

Range expansion
The Southeast African population of Marico Sunbird was spotted on various occasions in between July and August 2016 in locations southwest of where its previously believed range ended. These records raised question of a southward range expansion and prompted a more detailed investigation of the range expansion of the species.

There are several theories as to why these birds are expanding or changing their range. It is believed that drought or floods can cause the species to search for a more favourable environment in the nearby vicinity. Since 2014 a severe drought has ravaged large parts of South Africa, serving as a potential explanation for the range changes of the Marico Sunbird.

Shrub encroachment and population in South Africa
The marico sunbird has increased in population from 5 to 23 in a South African study between 1998 and 2008 according to the data presented of the 109 species in the study.

Recordings of the Marico Sunbird
The Marico Sunbird was recorded in the Kutse Game Reserve in a study of the Birds of the Cuts Game Reserve located just south of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. In general terms, the reserve is representative of the rest of the Kalahari. The Marico Sunbird is considered a local migrant to the area, although it is uncommon from October to March.

In a North central Namibian study, the Marico Sunbird was found to be more common in its patch during the months of October and November than in August.

Gallery
I like how this looks in the article so I am going to keep it since it shows the moulting male and the juvenile so you can see what the bird looks like at different life stages.