Photo: Lip Kee Yap from Singapore, Republic of Singapore / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
White-bellied Sunbird
Cinnyris talatala
White-bellied Sunbird (Cinnyris talatala) — 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 White-bellied Sunbird (Cinnyris talatala) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 8.1 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 talatala
Where it lives
Southern Tanzania to southern Angola, northern Botswana, northern, eastern South Africa and Mozambique
Quick facts
- Weight
- 8.1 g
- Diet
- Nectar-feeders
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-bellied 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 White-bellied Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The White-bellied Sunbird (Cinnyris talatala) belongs to the Nectariniidae family of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF s Tanzania to s Angola, n Botswana, n, e South Africa and Mozambique.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 8.1 g, with a wing length of about 5.4 cm and a tail of around 3.9 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 2.8 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-bellied Sunbird?
The White-bellied Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 8.1 g.
Where does the White-bellied Sunbird live?
The White-bellied Sunbird is found across Africa with a range covering AF s Tanzania to s Angola, n Botswana, n, e South Africa and Mozambique, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the White-bellied Sunbird belong to?
The White-bellied Sunbird (Cinnyris talatala) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the White-bellied Sunbird eat?
The White-bellied Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the White-bellied Sunbird migrate?
The White-bellied Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the White-bellied 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 White-bellied Sunbird make?
1 real field recording of the White-bellied 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 White-bellied Sunbird's range?
The White-bellied Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 2.8 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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