Photo: Rackk67 / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Lovely Sunbird
Aethopyga shelleyi
Lovely Sunbird (Aethopyga shelleyi) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South & Southeast Asia.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Lovely Sunbird (Aethopyga shelleyi) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 4 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 Aethopyga
- Species shelleyi
Quick facts
- Weight
- 4 g
- Diet
- Nectar-feeders
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Lovely Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Lovely Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Lovely Sunbird (Aethopyga shelleyi) is a member of the Nectariniidae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR Palawan group (sw Philippines).
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 4 g, with a wing length of about 4.6 cm and a tail of around 3.8 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 13,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Lovely Sunbird?
The Lovely Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 4 g.
Where does the Lovely Sunbird live?
The Lovely Sunbird is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR Palawan group (sw Philippines), where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Lovely Sunbird belong to?
The Lovely Sunbird (Aethopyga shelleyi) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Lovely Sunbird eat?
The Lovely Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Lovely Sunbird migrate?
The Lovely Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Lovely 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 Lovely Sunbird make?
1 real field recording of the Lovely 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 Lovely Sunbird's range?
The Lovely Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 13,000 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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