This sunbird occurs in East-Central Africa. Dave Richards's 2013 Wildlife of East Africa guide uses the former genus name Nectarinia erythrocerca and describes waterside habitat and different male and female plumage.
The male has metallic blue-green on the head, neck, and mantle, a deep red chest band, a black belly, and elongated central tail feathers. The female is dark brown above and buff below; the immature bird resembles the female but has a darker throat.
Dave Richards's East Africa guide lists waterside vegetation near lakes, swamps, and rivers as habitat. This is the regional guide's description.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.