Photo: Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Splendid Sunbird
Cinnyris coccinigastrus
Splendid Sunbird (Cinnyris coccinigastrus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Splendid Sunbird (Cinnyris coccinigastrus) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 14.3 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 coccinigastrus
Where it lives
Senegal and Gambia south to Liberia and east to northeastern DR Congo and northwestern Uganda
Quick facts
- Weight
- 14.3 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Splendid 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 Splendid Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Splendid Sunbird (Cinnyris coccinigastrus) belongs to the Nectariniidae family of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Senegal and Gambia s to Liberia and e to ne DR Congo and nw Uganda.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 14.3 g, with a wing length of about 6.7 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 1.7 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Splendid Sunbird?
The Splendid Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 14.3 g.
Where does the Splendid Sunbird live?
The Splendid Sunbird is found across Africa with a range covering AF Senegal and Gambia s to Liberia and e to ne DR Congo and nw Uganda, where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Splendid Sunbird belong to?
The Splendid Sunbird (Cinnyris coccinigastrus) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Splendid Sunbird eat?
The Splendid Sunbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Splendid Sunbird migrate?
The Splendid Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Splendid 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 Splendid Sunbird make?
1 real field recording of the Splendid 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 Splendid Sunbird's range?
The Splendid Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 1.7 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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