Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Plain Sunbird
Anthreptes simplex
Plain Sunbird (Anthreptes simplex) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Plain Sunbird (Anthreptes simplex) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 8.9 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Nectariniidae Sunbirds
- Genus Anthreptes
- Species simplex
Where it lives
Malay Pen., Sumatra, Nias, northern Natuna Is. (northwest of Borneo) and Borneo
Quick facts
- Weight
- 8.9 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Plain Sunbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Plain Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Plain Sunbird (Anthreptes simplex) is a member of the Nectariniidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR Malay Pen., Sumatra, Nias, n Natuna Is. (nw of Borneo) and Borneo.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 8.9 g, with a wing length of about 6 cm and a tail of around 4.5 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 1.1 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Plain Sunbird?
The Plain Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 8.9 g.
Where does the Plain Sunbird live?
The Plain Sunbird is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR Malay Pen., Sumatra, Nias, n Natuna Is. (nw of Borneo) and Borneo, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Plain Sunbird belong to?
The Plain Sunbird (Anthreptes simplex) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Plain Sunbird eat?
The Plain Sunbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Plain Sunbird migrate?
The Plain Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Plain Sunbird endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Plain Sunbird make?
1 real field recording of the Plain Sunbird — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Plain Sunbird's range?
The Plain Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 1.1 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Nectariniidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
More in Songbirds
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.