Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Superb Sunbird
Cinnyris superbus
Superb Sunbird (Cinnyris superbus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 4 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Superb Sunbird (Cinnyris superbus) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 16.8 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 superbus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 16.8 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Superb Sunbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Superb Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Superb Sunbird (Cinnyris superbus) belongs to the Nectariniidae family of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF w, c.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 16.8 g, with a wing length of about 7.2 cm and a tail of around 4.6 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 2.9 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Superb Sunbird?
The Superb Sunbird is a small bird that weighs around 16.8 g.
Where does the Superb Sunbird live?
The Superb Sunbird is found across Africa with a range covering AF w, c, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Superb Sunbird belong to?
The Superb Sunbird (Cinnyris superbus) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Superb Sunbird eat?
The Superb Sunbird is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Superb Sunbird migrate?
The Superb Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Superb 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 Superb Sunbird make?
1 real field recording of the Superb Sunbird — including its flight call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Superb Sunbird's range?
The Superb Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 2.9 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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Guides for this bird
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