Photo: Original: Nina R at Flickr; this edit: MPF / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Abyssinian Sunbird
Cinnyris habessinicus
Abyssinian Sunbird (Cinnyris habessinicus) — 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 Abyssinian Sunbird (Cinnyris habessinicus) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 9.5 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 habessinicus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 9.5 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Abyssinian Sunbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open scrub and shrubland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Abyssinian Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Abyssinian Sunbird (Cinnyris habessinicus) is a member of the Nectariniidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF ne, e, also s.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 9.5 g, with a wing length of about 6.3 cm and a tail of around 4.8 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 1.1 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Abyssinian Sunbird?
The Abyssinian Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 9.5 g.
Where does the Abyssinian Sunbird live?
The Abyssinian Sunbird is found across Africa with a range covering AF ne, e, also s, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Abyssinian Sunbird belong to?
The Abyssinian Sunbird (Cinnyris habessinicus) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Abyssinian Sunbird eat?
The Abyssinian Sunbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Abyssinian Sunbird migrate?
The Abyssinian Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Abyssinian 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 Abyssinian Sunbird make?
1 real field recording of the Abyssinian 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 Abyssinian Sunbird's range?
The Abyssinian Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 1.1 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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