Photo: Henrik Gronvold / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Shelley’s Sunbird
Cinnyris shelleyi
Shelley's Sunbird (Cinnyris shelleyi) — 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 Shelley’s Sunbird (Cinnyris shelleyi) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 9 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 Cinnyris
- Species shelleyi
Where it lives
Southeastern DRCongo and Tanzania to Zambia, northern Zimbabwe and northern Mozambique
Quick facts
- Weight
- 9 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Shelley’s Sunbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open scrub and shrubland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Shelley’s Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Shelley’s Sunbird (Cinnyris shelleyi) is a member of the Nectariniidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF se DRCongo and Tanzania to Zambia, n Zimbabwe and n Mozambique.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 9 g, with a wing length of about 5.9 cm and a tail of around 4.2 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 416,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Shelley’s Sunbird?
The Shelley’s Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 9 g.
Where does the Shelley’s Sunbird live?
The Shelley’s Sunbird is found across Africa with a range covering AF se DRCongo and Tanzania to Zambia, n Zimbabwe and n Mozambique, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Shelley’s Sunbird belong to?
The Shelley’s Sunbird (Cinnyris shelleyi) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Shelley’s Sunbird eat?
The Shelley’s Sunbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Shelley’s Sunbird migrate?
The Shelley’s Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Shelley’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 Shelley’s Sunbird make?
1 real field recording of the Shelley’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 Shelley’s Sunbird's range?
The Shelley’s Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 416,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Nectariniidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Songbirds
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
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.