Malachite sunbird Malachite sunbird The malachite sunbird ("Nectarinia famosa") is a small nectarivorous bird found from the highlands of Ethiopia southwards to South Africa. The pollinate many flowering plants, particularly those with long corolla tubes, in the Fynbos. The sunbirds are a group of small Old World passerine birds, and are placed within the family Nectariniidae, which is found across Africa, the Middle East and into South-east Asia. Also called green sugarbird. The malachite sunbird has two subspecies. The nominate "N. f. famosa "occurs mainly in South Africa, Lesotho and western Swaziland, although its range just extends into southern Namibia and Zimbabwe.
Italian submarine Malachite Crete, "Malachite" sighted a British cruiser escorted by a destroyer. She launched two torpedoes at the target, but they both missed her by the stern. From 3 to 14 July 1941 she patrolled north of Ras Azzaz. At 20:00 on July 3 "Malachite" sighted a large cruiser (possibly ) escorted by two destroyers, and immediately launched a torpedo. There was an explosion heard, but there is no reports of this attack in British post-war documents, although some believe an escort was hit. From September 25 to October 5 1941 she patrolled off Ras Aamer. From January 20 to 27, 1942