Photo: Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Amethyst Sunbird
Chalcomitra amethystina
Amethyst Sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Amethyst Sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 13.7 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 amethystina
Quick facts
- Weight
- 13.7 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Amethyst Sunbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open woodland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Amethyst Sunbird is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Amethyst Sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina) is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF e, se, s.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 13.7 g, with a wing length of about 6.5 cm and a tail of around 4.2 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 3.6 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Amethyst Sunbird?
The Amethyst Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 13.7 g.
Where does the Amethyst Sunbird live?
The Amethyst Sunbird is found across Africa with a range covering AF e, se, s, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Amethyst Sunbird belong to?
The Amethyst Sunbird (Chalcomitra amethystina) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Amethyst Sunbird eat?
The Amethyst Sunbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Amethyst Sunbird migrate?
The Amethyst Sunbird is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Amethyst 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 Amethyst Sunbird make?
1 real field recording of the Amethyst Sunbird can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Amethyst Sunbird's range?
The Amethyst Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 3.6 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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