Brown-throated Sunbird
Anthreptes malacensis
Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 8 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 11.3 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 malacensis
Where it lives
Myanmar to Java, central, southern Philippines, Sulawesi and Lesser Sundas
Quick facts
- Weight
- 11.3 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Brown-throated Sunbird is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open woodland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Brown-throated Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis) is a member of the Nectariniidae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR, AU Myanmar to Java, c, s Philippines, Sulawesi and Lesser Sundas.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 11.3 g, with a wing length of about 6.7 cm and a tail of around 4 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 2.2 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Brown-throated Sunbird?
The Brown-throated Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 11.3 g.
Where does the Brown-throated Sunbird live?
The Brown-throated Sunbird is found across Australia & Oceania and South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR, AU Myanmar to Java, c, s Philippines, Sulawesi and Lesser Sundas, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Brown-throated Sunbird belong to?
The Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Brown-throated Sunbird eat?
The Brown-throated Sunbird is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Brown-throated Sunbird migrate?
The Brown-throated Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Brown-throated 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 Brown-throated Sunbird make?
1 real field recording of the Brown-throated 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 Brown-throated Sunbird's range?
The Brown-throated Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 2.2 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.
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Guides for this bird
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