Photo: thibaudaronson / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Giant Sunbird
Dreptes thomensis
Giant Sunbird (Dreptes thomensis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Giant Sunbird (Dreptes thomensis) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 26.2 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Nectariniidae Sunbirds
- Genus Dreptes
- Species thomensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 26.2 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Giant 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 Giant Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Giant Sunbird (Dreptes thomensis) is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF São Tomé (sc Gulf of Guinea Is.).
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 26.2 g, with a wing length of about 8.7 cm and a tail of around 8.3 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 334 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Giant Sunbird?
The Giant Sunbird is a small bird that weighs around 26.2 g.
Where does the Giant Sunbird live?
The Giant Sunbird is found across Africa with a range covering AF São Tomé (sc Gulf of Guinea Is.), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Giant Sunbird belong to?
The Giant Sunbird (Dreptes thomensis) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Giant Sunbird eat?
The Giant Sunbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Giant Sunbird migrate?
The Giant Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Giant Sunbird endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Giant Sunbird make?
1 real field recording of the Giant Sunbird — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Giant Sunbird's range?
The Giant Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 334 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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