Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Metallic-winged Sunbird
Aethopyga pulcherrima
Metallic-winged Sunbird (Aethopyga pulcherrima) — 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 Metallic-winged Sunbird (Aethopyga pulcherrima) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 6.2 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 pulcherrima
Quick facts
- Weight
- 6.2 g
- Diet
- Nectar-feeders
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Metallic-winged 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 Metallic-winged Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Metallic-winged Sunbird (Aethopyga pulcherrima) is a member of the Nectariniidae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR Philippines.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 6.2 g, with a wing length of about 4.6 cm and a tail of around 2.7 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 211,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Metallic-winged Sunbird?
The Metallic-winged Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 6.2 g.
Where does the Metallic-winged Sunbird live?
The Metallic-winged Sunbird is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR Philippines, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Metallic-winged Sunbird belong to?
The Metallic-winged Sunbird (Aethopyga pulcherrima) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Metallic-winged Sunbird eat?
The Metallic-winged Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Metallic-winged Sunbird migrate?
The Metallic-winged Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Metallic-winged 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 Metallic-winged Sunbird make?
1 real field recording of the Metallic-winged 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 Metallic-winged Sunbird's range?
The Metallic-winged Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 211,000 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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