Violet-breasted Sunbird
Cinnyris chalcomelas
Violet-breasted Sunbird (Cinnyris chalcomelas) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Violet-breasted Sunbird (Cinnyris chalcomelas) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 8.2 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 chalcomelas
Quick facts
- Weight
- 8.2 g
- Diet
- Nectar-feeders
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Violet-breasted Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Behaviour
A bird of open scrub and shrubland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Violet-breasted Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Violet-breasted Sunbird (Cinnyris chalcomelas) is a member of the Nectariniidae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF ec Somalia to se Kenya.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 8.2 g, with a wing length of about 5.8 cm and a tail of around 4.1 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 64,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Violet-breasted Sunbird?
The Violet-breasted Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 8.2 g.
Where does the Violet-breasted Sunbird live?
The Violet-breasted Sunbird is found across Africa with a range covering AF ec Somalia to se Kenya, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Violet-breasted Sunbird belong to?
The Violet-breasted Sunbird (Cinnyris chalcomelas) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Violet-breasted Sunbird eat?
The Violet-breasted Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Violet-breasted Sunbird migrate?
The Violet-breasted Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Violet-breasted 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.
How large is the Violet-breasted Sunbird's range?
The Violet-breasted Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 64,000 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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