Photo: Rick elis.simpson / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Sharpbill
Oxyruncus cristatus
Sharpbill (Oxyruncus cristatus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of South America.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Sharpbill (Oxyruncus cristatus) is a member of the Oxyruncidae family found in South America. Adults weigh 42 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 Oxyruncidae Sharpbill
- Genus Oxyruncus
- Species cristatus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 42 g
- Diet
- Fruit-eaters
- Family
- Oxyruncidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Sharpbill is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Sharpbill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Sharpbill (Oxyruncus cristatus) is a member of the Oxyruncidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across South America. Its distribution covers SA widespread.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 42 g, with a wing length of about 9.2 cm and a tail of around 6.4 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 1.9 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Sharpbill?
The Sharpbill is a small bird that weighs around 42 g.
Where does the Sharpbill live?
The Sharpbill is found across South America with a range covering SA widespread, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Sharpbill belong to?
The Sharpbill (Oxyruncus cristatus) belongs to the Oxyruncidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Sharpbill eat?
The Sharpbill is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Does the Sharpbill migrate?
The Sharpbill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Sharpbill 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 Sharpbill make?
1 real field recording of the Sharpbill — 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 Sharpbill's range?
The Sharpbill has a mapped global range of about 1.9 million 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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