Photo: Dominic Sherony / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Tsavo Sunbird
Cinnyris tsavoensis
Tsavo Sunbird (Cinnyris tsavoensis) — 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 Tsavo Sunbird (Cinnyris tsavoensis) is a member of the Nectariniidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 6.8 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 tsavoensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 6.8 g
- Diet
- Nectar-feeders
- Family
- Nectariniidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Tsavo Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open scrub and shrubland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Tsavo Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Tsavo Sunbird (Cinnyris tsavoensis) is a member of the Nectariniidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF e Kenya and ne Tanzania.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 6.8 g, with a wing length of about 5.2 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 115,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Tsavo Sunbird?
The Tsavo Sunbird is a very small bird that weighs around 6.8 g.
Where does the Tsavo Sunbird live?
The Tsavo Sunbird is found across Africa with a range covering AF e Kenya and ne Tanzania, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Tsavo Sunbird belong to?
The Tsavo Sunbird (Cinnyris tsavoensis) belongs to the Nectariniidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Tsavo Sunbird eat?
The Tsavo Sunbird is a nectarivore — it feeds mainly on nectar.
Does the Tsavo Sunbird migrate?
The Tsavo Sunbird is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Tsavo 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 Tsavo Sunbird make?
1 real field recording of the Tsavo Sunbird — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Tsavo Sunbird's range?
The Tsavo Sunbird has a mapped global range of about 115,000 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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Guides for this bird
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