Photo: Francesco Veronesi / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Blue-headed Sunbird
Cyanomitra alinae
Blue-headed Sunbird (Cyanomitra alinae) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Blue-headed Sunbird (Cyanomitra alinae) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 12.6 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 Cyanomitra
- Species alinae
Quick facts
- Weight
- 12.6 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 Blue-headed 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 Blue-headed Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Blue-headed Sunbird (Cyanomitra alinae) belongs to the Nectariniidae family of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF ec.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 12.6 g, with a wing length of about 6.3 cm and a tail of around 4.2 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 114,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Blue-headed Sunbird?
The Blue-headed Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 12.6 g.
Where does the Blue-headed Sunbird live?
The Blue-headed Sunbird is found across Africa with a range covering AF ec, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Blue-headed Sunbird belong to?
The Blue-headed Sunbird (Cyanomitra alinae) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Blue-headed Sunbird eat?
The Blue-headed Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Blue-headed Sunbird migrate?
The Blue-headed Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Blue-headed 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 Blue-headed Sunbird make?
1 real field recording of the Blue-headed Sunbird — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Blue-headed Sunbird's range?
The Blue-headed Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 114,000 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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