Orange-breasted Sunbird
Anthobaphes violacea
Orange-breasted Sunbird (Anthobaphes violacea) — 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 Orange-breasted Sunbird (Anthobaphes violacea) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 9.4 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 Anthobaphes
- Species violacea
Quick facts
- Weight
- 9.4 g
- Diet
- Nectar-feeders
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Orange-breasted Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open scrub and shrubland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Orange-breasted Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Orange-breasted Sunbird (Anthobaphes violacea) is a member of the Nectariniidae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF South Africa.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 9.4 g, with a wing length of about 5.3 cm and a tail of around 6.2 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 92,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Orange-breasted Sunbird?
The Orange-breasted Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 9.4 g.
Where does the Orange-breasted Sunbird live?
The Orange-breasted Sunbird is found across Africa with a range covering AF South Africa, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Orange-breasted Sunbird belong to?
The Orange-breasted Sunbird (Anthobaphes violacea) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Orange-breasted Sunbird eat?
The Orange-breasted Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Orange-breasted Sunbird migrate?
The Orange-breasted Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Orange-breasted 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 Orange-breasted Sunbird make?
1 real field recording of the Orange-breasted 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 Orange-breasted Sunbird's range?
The Orange-breasted Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 92,000 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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