Grey-headed Sunbird
Deleornis axillaris
Grey-headed Sunbird (Deleornis axillaris) — 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 Grey-headed Sunbird (Deleornis axillaris) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 11.3 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 Deleornis
- Species axillaris
Quick facts
- Weight
- 11.3 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Grey-headed Sunbird is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Grey-headed Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Grey-headed Sunbird (Deleornis axillaris) is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF e DR Congo, Uganda and Rwanda.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 11.3 g, with a wing length of about 6.6 cm and a tail of around 4.7 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 1.5 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Grey-headed Sunbird?
The Grey-headed Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 11.3 g.
Where does the Grey-headed Sunbird live?
The Grey-headed Sunbird is found across Africa with a range covering AF e DR Congo, Uganda and Rwanda, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Grey-headed Sunbird belong to?
The Grey-headed Sunbird (Deleornis axillaris) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Grey-headed Sunbird eat?
The Grey-headed Sunbird is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Grey-headed Sunbird migrate?
The Grey-headed Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Grey-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 Grey-headed Sunbird make?
1 real field recording of the Grey-headed 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 Grey-headed Sunbird's range?
The Grey-headed Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 1.5 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.
Explore more birds
More in Nectariniidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Songbirds
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
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.