double collared sunbird | watercolour

This artwork captures a Double-collared Sunbird poised on a flowering Lion’s Tail (Leonotis leonurus), a plant that grows wild across much of Africa. The bright scarlet, emerald, and cobalt of the sunbird glow against the spiky whorls of orange blossoms—each one rich with nectar. Sunbirds are agile feeders, using their curved bills to probe deep into the tubular flowers while hovering or clinging to the stems, just as shown here. The Lion’s Tail provides both food and a natural perch, its tall, architectural shape echoing the energy and movement of the bird. Together, the vibrant plant and shimmering sunbird celebrate one of Africa’s most iconic pollinator partnerships—colour, motion, and wild abundance captured in a single moment.