Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Magnificent Sunbird
Aethopyga magnifica
Magnificent Sunbird (Aethopyga magnifica) — 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 Magnificent Sunbird (Aethopyga magnifica) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 9.3 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 Aethopyga
- Species magnifica
Quick facts
- Weight
- 9.3 g
- Diet
- Nectar-feeders
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Magnificent Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Magnificent Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Magnificent Sunbird (Aethopyga magnifica) is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It is found across South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR West Visayas (wc Philippines).
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 9.3 g, with a wing length of about 5 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.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 31,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Magnificent Sunbird?
The Magnificent Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 9.3 g.
Where does the Magnificent Sunbird live?
The Magnificent Sunbird is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR West Visayas (wc Philippines), where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Magnificent Sunbird belong to?
The Magnificent Sunbird (Aethopyga magnifica) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Magnificent Sunbird eat?
The Magnificent Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Magnificent Sunbird migrate?
The Magnificent Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Magnificent 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.
How large is the Magnificent Sunbird's range?
The Magnificent Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 31,000 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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