The Palestine Sunbird is a resident breeder in many parts of Israel and is considered a common species in suitable habitats. Its distribution is mainly influenced by the availability of flowering plants, which provide nectar—its primary food source. Northern and Central Israel: Commonly found in the Galilee, Golan Heights, Hula Valley, Mount Carmel, and Judean Hills ( Figure 1 ). In these areas, the sunbird thrives in Mediterranean scrub, gardens, orchards, and open woodlands. Coastal Plain: The bird is frequent in urban areas, parks, and botanical gardens, particularly where ornamental flowering plants are grown. Jerusalem Area: Found in suburban gardens, especially those with Bougainvillea, Aloe, or other nectar-producing flowers. Negev Desert (Southern Israel): Its presence is more localized, but it can be found near oases, agricultural settlements, or urban green zones such as Eilat, Mitzpe Ramon, and Arava Valley, where artificial irrigation supports vegetation. Dead Sea Area: Occasionally observed in gardens and planted groves along the western edge of the Dead Sea. Habitat Preferences are: Prefers warm, sunny areas with abundant flowering vegetation. Occupies both natural scrublands and human-modified environments, including city gardens. Nests in shrubs or small trees, often in acacia, eucalyptus, or even on human structures. If you’d like, I can also provide a map of it.

The Palestine Sunbird belongs to the order Passeriformes, family Nectariniidae, and genus Cinnyris. Historically considered a subspecies of the Variable Sunbird (Cinnyris venustus), molecular and morphological data now support its recognition as a distinct species ( Figure 2 ) [1] .

The species exhibits marked sexual dimorphism.

Juveniles resemble females but have even duller plumage.

Breeding activity in Israel begins as early as February and may continue into July, depending on the region (Yosef, 2004). Males establish and defend small territories through vocalizations and visual displays, including puffing out their breast tufts and chasing rivals. Monogamous pairs form during the breeding season. Copulation is preceded by brief courtship flights and calling by the male [3] .

The female constructs a hanging, purse-shaped nest from plant fibers, feathers, and spider silk. Nest sites vary widely but are commonly found in trees, ornamental shrubs, electricity lines, and even building structures, especially in gardens and parks (Shirihai, 1996; Yosef, 2004). Clutch size: Usually 1 to 3 eggs per nest (Yosef, 2004). Eggs: White to light blue, sometimes lightly speckled. Incubation: Lasts 13 - 15 days and is performed solely by the female. Fledging: Chicks leave the nest around 14 - 17 days post-hatching. During this time, both parents feed the nestlings, primarily on insects and spiders [4] .

The Palestine Sunbird thrives in both urban and natural habitats. In urban areas, it occupies parks, gardens, cemeteries, and residential neighborhoods with flowering plants like Hibiscus, Bougainvillea, and Lantana [2] . In natural habitats, it is found in semi-arid scrublands, Mediterranean maquis, and acacia woodlands, as long as flowering vegetation is present [2] .

This flexibility enables the species to maintain high population densities even in heavily human-modified landscapes.

A detailed observation of the breeding behavior of the Palestine Sunbird (Cinnyris osea) in northern Israel (specifically in the city of Karmiel), and a comparison of the findings with previously published data on this species.

The breeding and nesting phenology of the Palestine sunbird (Cinnyris osea) observed outside of Israel differs from the patterns documented in the present study within Israel ( Table 1 ). In continental Africa—specifically Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia—observations of individuals in breeding condition near Berbera (Somalia) on December 29 suggest that nesting may commence as early as December or January, with the breeding season extending over a period of three to four months, depending on gonadal development [5] . In the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt, although specific nesting dates are not well documented, the species is reported to reproduce during spring to early summer, which aligns with general Middle Eastern breeding patterns [6] . In the Arabian Peninsula (including Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Oman), the nominate subspecies is known to breed widely. In southern Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Oman, nesting activity has been recorded primarily between late March and May, although the species’ resident status in these regions may allow for broader or more prolonged breeding seasons [6] . In Jordan and Lebanon, breeding records indicate egg-laying and chick rearing occur from April to May, coinciding with seasonal peaks in flowering and insect availability, which are critical for chick development [6] .

The Palestine Sunbird is a nectarivorous passerine widely distributed across Israel, exhibiting regional variation in its breeding phenology influenced by climate, altitude, and the availability of flowering plants [2] [3] .