Photo: Tom Tarrant / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Red-chested Sunbird
Cinnyris erythrocercus
Red-chested Sunbird (Cinnyris erythrocercus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Red-chested Sunbird (Cinnyris erythrocercus) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 8.8 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 Cinnyris
- Species erythrocercus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 8.8 g
- Diet
- Nectar-feeders
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Red-chested Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Red-chested Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Red-chested Sunbird (Cinnyris erythrocercus) is a member of the Nectariniidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF extreme s Sudan to w, c Tanzania.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 8.8 g, with a wing length of about 6.1 cm and a tail of around 6.6 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 439,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Red-chested Sunbird?
The Red-chested Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 8.8 g.
Where does the Red-chested Sunbird live?
The Red-chested Sunbird is found across Africa with a range covering AF extreme s Sudan to w, c Tanzania, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Red-chested Sunbird belong to?
The Red-chested Sunbird (Cinnyris erythrocercus) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Red-chested Sunbird eat?
The Red-chested Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Red-chested Sunbird migrate?
The Red-chested Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Red-chested 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 Red-chested Sunbird make?
1 real field recording of the Red-chested 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 Red-chested Sunbird's range?
The Red-chested Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 439,000 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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