Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Carmelite Sunbird
Chalcomitra fuliginosa
Carmelite Sunbird (Chalcomitra fuliginosa) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Carmelite Sunbird (Chalcomitra fuliginosa) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 11.9 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 Chalcomitra
- Species fuliginosa
Quick facts
- Weight
- 11.9 g
- Diet
- Nectar-feeders
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Carmelite Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open woodland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Carmelite Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Carmelite Sunbird (Chalcomitra fuliginosa) 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 11.9 g, with a wing length of about 6.6 cm and a tail of around 4.3 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 264,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Carmelite Sunbird?
The Carmelite Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 11.9 g.
Where does the Carmelite Sunbird live?
The Carmelite Sunbird is found across Africa with a range covering AF w, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Carmelite Sunbird belong to?
The Carmelite Sunbird (Chalcomitra fuliginosa) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Carmelite Sunbird eat?
The Carmelite Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Carmelite Sunbird migrate?
The Carmelite Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Carmelite 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 Carmelite Sunbird make?
1 real field recording of the Carmelite 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 Carmelite Sunbird's range?
The Carmelite Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 264,000 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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Guides for this bird
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