Photo: Carine06 from UK / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Purple-breasted Sunbird
Nectarinia purpureiventris
Purple-breasted Sunbird (Nectarinia purpureiventris) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Purple-breasted Sunbird (Nectarinia purpureiventris) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 11.5 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 Nectarinia
- Species purpureiventris
Quick facts
- Weight
- 11.5 g
- Diet
- Nectar-feeders
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Purple-breasted 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 Purple-breasted Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Purple-breasted Sunbird (Nectarinia purpureiventris) is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF e DR Congo, s Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 11.5 g, with a wing length of about 6.2 cm and a tail of around 9.5 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 70,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Purple-breasted Sunbird?
The Purple-breasted Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 11.5 g.
Where does the Purple-breasted Sunbird live?
The Purple-breasted Sunbird is found across Africa with a range covering AF e DR Congo, s Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Purple-breasted Sunbird belong to?
The Purple-breasted Sunbird (Nectarinia purpureiventris) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Purple-breasted Sunbird eat?
The Purple-breasted Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Purple-breasted Sunbird migrate?
The Purple-breasted Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Purple-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.
How large is the Purple-breasted Sunbird's range?
The Purple-breasted Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 70,000 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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