Photo: Derek Keats from Johannesburg, South Africa / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Marico Sunbird
Cinnyris mariquensis
Marico Sunbird (Cinnyris mariquensis) — 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 Marico Sunbird (Cinnyris mariquensis) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 11.5 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 Cinnyris
- Species mariquensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 11.5 g
- Diet
- Nectar-feeders
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
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Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Marico Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Behaviour
A bird of open woodland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Marico Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Marico Sunbird (Cinnyris mariquensis) is a member of the Nectariniidae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF e, se, s.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 11.5 g, with a wing length of about 6.5 cm and a tail of around 4.9 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 2.6 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Marico Sunbird?
The Marico Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 11.5 g.
Where does the Marico Sunbird live?
The Marico Sunbird is found across Africa with a range covering AF e, se, s, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Marico Sunbird belong to?
The Marico Sunbird (Cinnyris mariquensis) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Marico Sunbird eat?
The Marico Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Marico Sunbird migrate?
The Marico Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Marico 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 Marico Sunbird make?
1 real field recording of the Marico 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 Marico Sunbird's range?
The Marico Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 2.6 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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