Photo: Yathin S Krishnappa / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Variable Sunbird
Cinnyris venustus
Variable Sunbird (Cinnyris venustus) — 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 Variable Sunbird (Cinnyris venustus) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 6.6 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 venustus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 6.6 g
- Diet
- Nectar-feeders
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Variable 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 Variable Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Variable Sunbird (Cinnyris venustus) is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF w, c, e.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 6.6 g, with a wing length of about 5 cm and a tail of around 3.4 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 5.6 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Variable Sunbird?
The Variable Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 6.6 g.
Where does the Variable Sunbird live?
The Variable Sunbird is found across Africa with a range covering AF w, c, e, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Variable Sunbird belong to?
The Variable Sunbird (Cinnyris venustus) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Variable Sunbird eat?
The Variable Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Variable Sunbird migrate?
The Variable Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Variable 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 Variable Sunbird make?
1 real field recording of the Variable Sunbird can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Variable Sunbird's range?
The Variable Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 5.6 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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