Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Buff-throated Sunbird
Chalcomitra adelberti
Buff-throated Sunbird (Chalcomitra adelberti) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Buff-throated Sunbird (Chalcomitra adelberti) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 9.8 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 Chalcomitra
- Species adelberti
Quick facts
- Weight
- 9.8 g
- Diet
- Nectar-feeders
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Buff-throated Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Buff-throated Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Buff-throated Sunbird (Chalcomitra adelberti) is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF w.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 9.8 g, with a wing length of about 6.1 cm and a tail of around 3.7 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 915,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Buff-throated Sunbird?
The Buff-throated Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 9.8 g.
Where does the Buff-throated Sunbird live?
The Buff-throated Sunbird is found across Africa with a range covering AF w, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Buff-throated Sunbird belong to?
The Buff-throated Sunbird (Chalcomitra adelberti) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Buff-throated Sunbird eat?
The Buff-throated Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Buff-throated Sunbird migrate?
The Buff-throated Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Buff-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 Buff-throated Sunbird make?
1 real field recording of the Buff-throated 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 Buff-throated Sunbird's range?
The Buff-throated Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 915,000 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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