Photo: Sabine's Sunbird / CC BY 2.5 (Wikimedia Commons)
Copper Sunbird
Cinnyris cupreus
Copper Sunbird (Cinnyris cupreus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 5 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Copper Sunbird (Cinnyris cupreus) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 8.9 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 cupreus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 8.9 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 Copper 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 Copper Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Copper Sunbird (Cinnyris cupreus) is a member of the Nectariniidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF w, c, e, sc.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 8.9 g, with a wing length of about 5.7 cm and a tail of around 4.4 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 7.8 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Copper Sunbird?
The Copper Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 8.9 g.
Where does the Copper Sunbird live?
The Copper Sunbird is found across Africa with a range covering AF w, c, e, sc, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Copper Sunbird belong to?
The Copper Sunbird (Cinnyris cupreus) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Copper Sunbird eat?
The Copper Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Copper Sunbird migrate?
The Copper Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Copper 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 Copper Sunbird make?
1 real field recording of the Copper 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 Copper Sunbird's range?
The Copper Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 7.8 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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How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.