Skip to main content

Photo: Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Least Concern

Newton’s Sunbird

Anabathmis newtonii

Newton's Sunbird (Anabathmis newtonii) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.

The Newton’s Sunbird (Anabathmis newtonii) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 6.5 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

  1. Class Aves
  2. Order Passeriformes
  3. Family Nectariniidae Sunbirds
  4. Genus Anabathmis
  5. Species newtonii

Where it lives

São Tomé (south-central Gulf of Guinea Is.)

Quick facts

Weight
6.5 g
Diet
Omnivores
Family
Nectariniidae
Habitat
Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Newton’s Sunbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.

Behaviour

A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.

Migration

The Newton’s Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Newton’s Sunbird (Anabathmis newtonii) is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF São Tomé (sc Gulf of Guinea Is.).

It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 6.5 g, with a wing length of about 5.2 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.

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 859 km² — a relatively restricted global range.

Songs & calls

Newton’s Sunbird — Song

Recorded by Philippe Verbelen Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Newton’s Sunbird?

The Newton’s Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 6.5 g.

Where does the Newton’s Sunbird live?

The Newton’s Sunbird is found across Africa with a range covering AF São Tomé (sc Gulf of Guinea Is.), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.

What family does the Newton’s Sunbird belong to?

The Newton’s Sunbird (Anabathmis newtonii) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.

What does the Newton’s Sunbird eat?

The Newton’s Sunbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.

Does the Newton’s Sunbird migrate?

The Newton’s Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Newton’s 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 Newton’s Sunbird make?

1 real field recording of the Newton’s 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 Newton’s Sunbird's range?

The Newton’s Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 859 km².

Conservation

Least Concern

Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.

How to help birds

Explore more birds

More in Nectariniidae

More in Songbirds

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.

4 min read

Back to top